From the Wall Street Journal
“I consider such an idea untimely, ambiguous, and such that it does not take into account the context of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine” – Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church regarding plans for the Way of the Cross in Rome organized by the Vatican that involve Ukraine and Russia
The article from the WSJ by Francis X. Rocca (April 12, 2022)
Following the Pope’s Sunday Angelus address (23 January 2022), he called us to a day of prayer for peace:
“I am following with concern the increase of tensions that threaten to inflict a new blow to the peace in Ukraine, and call into question the security of the European continent, with wider repercussions. I make a heartfelt appeal to all people of good will, that they may raise prayers to God Almighty, that every political action and initiative may serve human brotherhood, rather than partisan interests. Those who pursue their own interests, to the detriment of others, disregard their human vocation, as we were all created as brothers and sisters. For this reason, and with concern, given the current tensions, I propose that next Wednesday, 26 January be a day of prayer for peace.“
The December intention of Pope Francis:
That every country take the measures necessary to prioritize the future of the very young, especially those who are suffering.
Let us be united in prayer, fasting and almsgiving through Mary, the Holy Theotokos and the angels.
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Here is a summary of an article by Andrea Gagliarducci published by Acistampa in Italian on the recent meetings of representatives of the Synod of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Rome. The article is here. Thanks to Fr. Athanasius McKay for his notes.
“Pope Francis wants the Eastern Catholic Churches to grow, develop and flourish.” The Pope distinguished Eastern Catholic Churches from “Uniatism” as a method. Churches are not methods.
Instead of the old individual ad limina meetings, this represents a new methodology of the Pope and his curia meeting with the Major Archbishop and his synod together.
“It was clear to everybody that the war is a foreign aggression and that Ukraine is the victim.”
“The problem with ecumenism in Ukraine and in the whole territory of the ex-Soviet Union, is that decolonization has not yet happened. The Churches were often servants and instruments of the state authorities.”
“[our goals: the patriarchate, the beatification of Sheptytsky, etc.] are closer than they were three days ago.”
The Latin Church understands the concept of “Ecclesia particularis” as “local Church.” But at the meeting we had metropolitans from Canada, Brazil, USA, Poland. We are not a local Church but an “Ecclesia sui juris”, which is a global reality. This is a Byzantine concept of Catholic universalism.
“Metropolitan Sheptytsky was the first to fully realise the global nature of our Church. When he was metropolitan, our Church only had three eparchies in Western Ukraine. Now we have 34 eparchies throughout the world. It is also thanks to Metropolitan Sheptytsky, who was the first to make pastoral visits to the faithful throughout the world. We are harvesting the fruits that Metropolitan Sheptytsky planted.”
The May prayer intention of the Pope reads:
“That the lay faithful may fulfill their specific mission, by responding with creativity to the challenges that face the world today.”
Join in prayer with Pope Francis and many others around the world for this intention.
Today, Sunday, 28 January 2018, Pope Francis made a pastoral visit to the Ukrainian Basilica of Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia) in Rome, the spiritual home of the Ukrainian Catholic community. He was the guest of Patriarch Sviatoslav, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
Ines Martin writes about the visit here.
Holy See Press Office Director Greg Burke issued a statement today, January 12, stating that Pope Francis has accepted an invitation from His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Archbishop Major of Kyiv-Halyč of the Ukrainians and, on Sunday, January 28 at 4 pm, will visit the Basilica of Santa Sophia in Rome and meet with the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic community.Here is Pope Francis’ prayer intention for April 2017. Let us be united with him in prayer for young people.
That young people may respond generously to their vocations and seriously consider offering themselves to God in the priesthood or consecrated life.
The Pope’s intention for January 2017 is for Christian Unity. 
