Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk: In eastern Ukraine UGCC fulfills mission of evangelization for those who need it

In eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) first of all tries to preach the word of God among the Greek Catholics and go to those who need it, Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the UGCC said in an interview to Vatican Radio during his stay in Rome, where he participated in the meeting of the ROACO (Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches).

Patriarch Sviatoslav said that in each region the circumstances of the church’s existence are different.

“In eastern Ukraine, we have small parishes that need help. We go to those territories in order to meet the needs of our people who ended up there due to various circumstances and need our pastoral care,” he said.

The head of church stressed that the task of each church and the UGCC is to preach the Gospel. In Ukraine, due to many circumstances, several generations of Ukrainians do not attend church and do not identify themselves with any denomination. Therefore, the church, according to the Patriarch Sviatoslav, should go to them and convert to the faith of God.

“There is great task for all Christians. In particular, our task is to fulfill this new evangelization. It is a way to convey to the modern Ukrainian the traditional preaching of the Gospel, but perhaps in a modern, new way so that he can accept this Gospel of Christ and become a true Christian,” said the patriarch.