COMMUNIQUÉ
[Translated from Ukrainian]
By the grace of God and with the blessing of ecclesial authorities, an ecumenical meeting took place in Vienna, Austria from June 30 - July 4, 1998 with the participation of delegates of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) and the Ukrainian Catholic Church (UGCC). The meeting was the initiative of the Catholic organization "Pro Oriente" and was directed by its president, Mr. Alfred Stirnemann.
Taking part in the meeting from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church were:
1. Most Reverend Augustine (Markevych),
Bishop of Lviv and Drohobych,
Delegation Head
2. Most Reverend Serhij (Hensitsky),
Bishop of Ternopil and Kremenets
3. Protopresbyter, Rev. Basil Zayev
4. Mr. Andrij Savytsky
Delegates from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church included:
1. Most Reverend Lubomyr (Husar),
Auxiliary Bishop to the Head of the
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church,
Delegation Head.
2. Most Reverend Michael (Koltun),
Bishop of Zboriv
3. Protopresbyter, Rev. Dr. Iwan Dacko
4. Mr. Myroslav Marynovych
The members of the ecclesial delegations from
Ukraine thanked Cardinal Christoph Schonborn for his assistance in organizing
the symposium and congratulated him on his election as president of the
Austrian Conference of Bishops. They also expressed their thanks to Cardinal
Franz Konig for his
role in the discussions. The meeting was
opened with speeches by each of the heads of the two delegations, where
they explained their somewhat differing points of view and assessments
of the religious situation in the western part of Ukraine.
Both sides conceded, with regret, that inter-confessional conflicts still exist between the Orthodox and the Greek-Catholics in Ukraine. The delegate members agree that this is contrary to the norms of Christian morals and that it has a negative effect on spiritual rebirth in Ukraine.
It was generally agreed that meetings with a set
theme are both indispensable and indeed useful. Cooperation in the following
fields was still necessary:
- charitable activity and social services
- the spiritual and moral development of
younger generations
- spiritual-developmental ministry in the
armed forces
- the spiritual healing and consolidation
of society
Such cooperation is appropriate to Christian principles and encourages reconciliation in the spirit of Christian love.
Both sides condemned as incongruous with the ideals of Christian life any type of force - be it physical or moral - that is employed for the acquisition of church property, especially church buildings, on the part of any members of any confession.
The representatives of both Churches believe that
the normalization of relations is possible if concrete measures designed
to remove tensions in the relations between the Churches are employed.
Such measures would demonstrate to the Faithful that tangible steps for
the peaceful resolution
of conflicts are being taken on the part of their
leaders.
Both delegations propose to the leadership of
their Churches:
1. The use of appropriate measures that would
end the occupation of church buildings as a method for resolving questions
of church ownership throughout Ukraine
2. As soon as possible, resolve all existing
conflict situations by peaceful negotiations in the manner set forth by
the common working group in Bari, Italy in 1997, which would follow the
established norms, especially those set forth in the communiqué
(Bari, 1997).
Both Churches must respect the canonical decisions
of each other and entrust their respective synodal commissions with the
deeper study of those things which regard the relations between Orthodox
and Greek-Catholic believers. A common working group should develop
a plan for the further regularization of relations between the Churches
and the plan should be submitted to the
leadership of each Church for their review.
By agreement of all members of the delegations,
Bishop Augustine Bishop Lubomyr
Bishop Serhij Bishop Michael
Vienna, 4 July, 1998
_______________________________
PATRIARCHAL CURIA
Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
Ukraina 290000
m. Lviv
Ploscha sv. Yura, 5
Tel./fax: ++ [38](0322)798693
email: cceoiviv@ugkc.lviv.ua
| Note: These press releases are provided as on-going documentation of all news and events in the Byzantine Churches throughout the world. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is a different sui iuris Church than is the Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholic Church. Please direct any questions regarding these press releases to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church at the above addresses. |