Metropolitan Borys Gudziak told Pope about UCU and UGCC's mission in Europe and USA
His Holiness Pope Francis received the newly-nominated Archbishop and Metropolitan of Philadelphia, former bishop of the Paris Eparchy of St. Volodymyr the Great, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and President of the Ukrainian Catholic University Borys Gudziak at a private audience on April 15.
“I am impressed and moved by the fact that the Pope, vested with such responsibility for the Church and the faithful, retains openness, immediacy and sincerity. One can deeply feel that he wants good for me personally and for all people entrusted to him,” Archbishop Borys shares his impression of the meeting with the Communications Unit of the UGCC Eparchy of Paris.
The meeting began and ended with prayer. “I heeded to the advice of one of the priests of the Eparchy of Paris and offered the Holy Father to pray together for him and for his mission,” said the Ukrainian hierarch.
In the conversation with the Holy Father, Archbishop Borys focused on four points: the mission of the Eparchy of Paris and pastoral care in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Switzerland, plans for serving at the Metropolis of Philadelphia in the United States, which Archbishop Borys will launch on June 4, 2019; the identity and style of openness of the Ukrainian Catholic University – and the idea of fraternity of the Holy Princes Borys and Hlib.
“These issues are connected with global Ukrainianity, with the challenges facing us. The Pope was encouraged by the news about the Eparchy of Paris and its development, that we are going through the synodal way, which he encourages. I requested that the Holy Father, with his authority, support our priests in Western Europe and urge the Eastern Churches in the United States to cooperate, in particular, in the field of education,” Archbishop Borys said.
He emphasized that Pope was pleased to hear news about the style and methodology of UCU's openness, which is in line with his ideas of work with the youth, expressed in “Christus vivit”.
Pope Francis blessed the Brotherhood of the Holy Princes Passion-Bearers Borys and Hlib – fraternity of peace, prayer and courage for men. “Our fraternity is international and ecumenical. Its members who live in different countries, everyday at 20:30 in Paris, pray rosaries, devote time to reading of the Scripture and doing good deeds.”
“I'm inspired by this reception. God and Pope are deeply grateful. The Holy Father is very good towards the Head of our Church, His Beatitude Svyatoslav. He is sincere and open. I hope to be such a pastor and follow the path of Christ as Pope Francis does," summed up the meeting the newly-named Metropolitan of Philadelphia.
