Shevchuk’s Response In response to the Pope’s sentiments, Shevchuk released a press statement. He characterized the meeting as a valuable opportunity for both sides to engage in mutual listening and engage in open and honest dialogue. Shevchuk expressed that they had conveyed to the Pope the heartfelt concerns and messages entrusted to them by the faithful in Ukraine and around the world. The meeting served as a platform for the Ukrainian leadership to articulate the sentiments and experiences of their community to His Holiness.
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Synod The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church synod convened in Rome, coinciding with the Synod of Bishops of the Latin Catholic Church, scheduled for one month later. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic synod exclusively consisted of bishops, with 56 bishops participating out of a total of 67. The synod took place at the Ukrainian Pontifical College of St. Josaphat, focusing on the theme of “Pastoral Support for Victims of War.”
During the opening Divine Liturgy at the Basilica of St. Sophia in Rome on September 3, Major Archbishop Shevchuk highlighted the record participation of 56 bishops, noting that nearly half of them were younger than himself. This observation signified the synod’s youthful vigor, earning it the moniker “Synod of Hope” for the Ukrainian Church and its people. The prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Catholic Churches, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, also attended the liturgy.
Upcoming Divine Liturgy The synod plans to host a Divine Liturgy open to all Catholics on the morning of September 10 at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Meetings with Vatican Officials On September 5, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops engaged in discussions with Vatican officials, including Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, and Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. During this meeting, Parolin agreed to Major Archbishop Shevchuk’s proposal to convene a meeting of the Permanent Interdicasterial Commission for the Church in Eastern Europe. This commission aims to gather representatives from the Eastern Catholic Church “sui iuris,” the Latin Church, and experts to address issues related to war’s origins. Parolin stressed the importance of minimizing the effects of war, even when it stems from self-defense, through both words and actions.
Pope’s Prayer and Marian Intercession The encounter between Pope Francis and the Ukrainian bishops began with the joint recitation of the Our Father, directed toward Ukraine and its people. The meeting concluded with a prayer for the intercession of the Virgin Mary in front of an icon of the Theotokos, or Mother of God. The Vatican reported that the Pope prays daily for Ukrainians before this icon, a gift from Major Archbishop Shevchuk during his time in Buenos Aires.
Appeal for Captured Priests Additionally, the Ukrainian bishops requested prayers for the release of Father Ivan Levytskyi and Father Bohdan Haleta, two Redemptorist priests who remain in captivity since their capture by Russian troops in late November 2022.
