UGCC is a source for unity for the Ukrainian community: Apostolic administrator of the Exarchate for Ukrainian Catholics in Great Britain

In an interview with the Religious Information Services of Ukraine (RISU), Bishop Hlib (Lonchyna), apostolic administrator of the Exarchate for Ukrainian Catholics in Great Britain, explained the role of the UGCC and its patriarchal mode. When asked about the Patriarchate of the UGCC, Bishop Hlib said that, “we would certainly like for it to be acknowledged as soon as possible. However, we need to build it ourselves, to live it, and to support it. The acknowledgment will come eventually. Patriarch Joseph said that if one Pope does not acknowledge it, another one will. We have to work on this, to assert ourselves and to embody the teachings of the eastern ‘sui juris’ Catholic Church.” Bishop Hlib sees the mission of the UGCC as one of reconciliation and unity for the Ukrainian community. That we should strive for mutual respect and dissuade animosity between the confessions. According to the Exarch, there is also a need for healing of the wounded human spirit. The communist system destroyed humans. There now exists the need to cure, to build up a sense of dignity. Therein lies one of the highest priorities for the Church, according to Bishop Hlib. Additionally, the hierarch believes that the Church should serve as unifying force. “We are eastern Catholics, connected to the Apostolic See. Thus, we are an example of the Church maintains its traditions while at the same time is a part of the Church’s unity, because there is no Church unity without a relationship with the Apostolic See. Christ founded the Church on a “rock” – on Saint Peter. We trust that Christ’s Church is an incarnate of the universal Church. But the universal – Catholic – Church does not mean solely Latin! Despite there being many more Latin rite Catholics, the Catholic Church does not equate to the Latin rite. And that is why we keep our rite, our “sui juris” Church, alongside the Roman Apostolic See, as these Churches unite to form one,” explained the bishop during the interview. According to the bishop, the most valued aspect of the UGCC is its communion with the Apostolic See. However, Bishop Hlib asserts, there are many difficulties within the relationship of eastern Catholic Churches (not only UGCC) with the Apostolic See. However, the Hierarch says that these obstacles need to be overcome, but the relations can not be destroyed.

www.risu.org.ua/ukr/news/article;31207/