In the city of Curitiba, Brazil, on September 5, 2011, the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was opened. The opening ceremony was held on September 4 at the closing session of the 5th Patriarchal Council of the UGCC in Prudentopolis, the Information Department of UGCC reported.  

The synod, which is led by Patriarch Sviatoslav, is attended by UGCC bishops from Ukraine and other countries (western Europe, USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentine, and Australia). It is the first synod led by Patriarch Sviatoslav.

The synod began with a prayer service led by Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of UGCC, Bishop Bohdan (Dziurakh). In the end of the service, the bishops took their oath.

According to the head of the UGCC, at this synod the bishops are to spend most of the time formulating a strategy to develop the UGCC till 2020.

The main moment of the first day of the sessions was the program report of the head of the church presenting an analysis of the current state of the UGCC and outlining priorities for the nearest future. According to Patriarch Sviatoslav, the “main objectives of the church are to preach the Word of God and provide quality pastoral care to the faithful. Our structural reforms, development of new exarchates, eparchies and even the patriarchal system should be directed exactly towards that purpose."

The head of the UGCC expressed his conviction that the clergy and monastics will play the most important part in achieving this goal and shared his thoughts as to ensuring appropriate training for work in evangelization. In the end the hierarch noted internal and external threats, which can make it more difficult for the church to achieve its goals and called the members of the synod to cooperate in fulfilling “God’s plan for our church.”

On the same day, the members of the synod heard reports on the activity of the Patriarchal Curia, committees and departments of the patriarchal level and reports of the synodal committees. This year detailed reports were made by the Committee on Matters of Laity, the Committee on Matters of Youth, the Committee on Social Justice and Charitable Activity.

The Synod of Bishops of the UGCC will end on September 11.