www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News “Encounter” of Ukrainian Hierarchs

For the fourth time in the last eight years the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches in North America have met in a brotherly “Encounter” to discuss the relationship between the two Churches and the common concerns they share in shepherding the faithful entrusted to their spiritual care.

The meeting took place in Clearwater, Florida on 12-13 March following separate meetings of the two groups of hierarchs just preceding the Encounter.

The hierarchs are of one mind in the belief that the Church must reclaim its place as the moral conscience of the Ukrainian nation.

The consensus of opinion of the Encounter participants, having heard from the Orthodox hierarchs about the recent visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I to Kyiv, was that it was a positive event, which can result in consequences beneficial to all Christianity in Ukraine.

The Encounter participants repeatedly stressed that there is much more that unites, rather than divides us in fulfilling our responsibilities before God.

They are convinced that the Holy Spirit is at work in their gatherings and that there is a need to closely examine the paths to a deeper ecclesiastical relationship between them, benefitting all the faithful entrusted to their care.

Of primary concern to the hierarchs was the present state of ecclesiastical life in Ukraine in all jurisdictions and the fate of the Churches under the present unfortunate political divisions within the Ukrainian government and in Ukrainian society as a whole. In the minds of all the hierarchs present at the Encounter, Christian witness in Ukraine is not only endangered by the disarray in government and societal life, but damage is actually being done to the efforts toward ecclesiastical unity and the Christian service to those in Ukrainian society who are most in need.

Lengthy discussion was devoted to a thorough examination of Church life in both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches in North America. The hierarchs were greatly concerned about declining membership in so many parishes and the conditions, which seem to exacerbate this critical problem.

I mean no disrespect, but I wonder if this "primary concern" with the state of affairs in Ukraine sends a message to the faithful in the US that acually causes the declining membership?

I mean no disrespect, but I wonder if this "primary concern" with the state of affairs in Ukraine sends a message to the faithful in the US that acually causes the declining membership?

I find this article to be very poorly worded. I wonder exactly who wrote it. The English is just so awkward, I would venture to guess that the writer is not an English native speaker.
Just one example "Encounter"? Wouldn't "meeting" be a better word?
I can't help wondering if the writer misinterpreted the discussions at the meeting. I spoke to Vladyka Yuri, Archbishop of Toronto and Eastern Canada, UOCC about the meeting. While the current economical situation in Ukraine and also political situation is known to all, the meeting was called to discuss religious issues

Just one example "Encounter"? Wouldn't "meeting" be a better word?

The term "encounter" has been used for a number of years for these types of meetings amongst the Greek Catholic hierarchs and I do not believe that is necessarily an improper term.

Ukrainian Catholic Bishops of Canada and the United States of America conclude successful meeting
2009-03-16
Clearwater, FL - 2009-03-14 - Eight bishops representing the Ukrainian Catholic hierarchy of North America gathered for two days of meetings in Clearwater, Florida 10-11 February. Most Rev. Stefan Soroka, Archbishop of Philadelphia and Metropolitan for Ukrainian Catholics in the USA welcomed the participants of the two-day meeting, “It is good to be together for the next few days. It will provide us a chance to pray together, to discuss both our shared challenges and blessings.”

His Grace Stefan headed up the American delegation consisting of Most Rev. Richard Seminack of St. Nicholas Eparchy of Chicago, Most Rev. Paul Chomnycky OSBM, of the Stamford Eparchy and Most Rev. John Bura, Auxiliary Bishop of Philedelphia.

Most Rev. Lawrence Huculak OSBM, Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan for Ukrainian Catholics in Canada led the four-member delegation from Canada also consisting of Most Rev. David Motiuk of the Edmonton Eparchy, Most Rev. Ken Nowakowski of the New Westminster Eparchy and Most Rev. Bryan Bayda C.Ss.R., of the Saskatoon Eparchy.

The bishops received a presentation by Mr. Guy Camarata and Mr. Charles Neubecker who have been working closely with His Beatitude Lubomyr Cardinal Husar, head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Patriarchal Curia on the development and overall structuring of the Patriarchal Curial offices in Ukraine. Their presentation to the bishops was on the “Strategic Sudies & Roadmapping – Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church”. The bishops along with Mr. Camarata and Mr. Neubecker discussed ways of positive areas of support for the work of the Curia and underlined the need to ensure good communications.


The two-day meeting allowed the bishops to evaluate and further develop the areas of pastoral collaboration between the American and Canadian Metropolia especially in the areas of seminary formation.

Immediately following their meeting the Ukrainian Catholic Hierarchy of North America met with the Hierarchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of North America for a two-day meeting. This encounter allowed the Bishops of the two Churches the opportunity to discuss areas of pastoral concern for their faithful of the Ukrainian communities in Canada and the USA. Contact person:
Most Rev. Ken Nowakowski
nweparchy@telus.net