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on November 2, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Svyatoslav, met with Sebastian Gromig, the Chair of the Department of Culture of the German Embassy in Ukraine. During the meeting, which was held at the request of the German side, the current religious situation in Ukraine was discussed.
The UGCC Department of Information has reported that Sebastian Gromig took interest in the opinion and position of the UGCC on the unification process in the Ukrainian Orthodox community.
“First of all,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav, “we are positive regarding all attempts to achieve the internal unity of the Ukrainian Orthodoxy and to overcome existing divisions, as well as to regulate the canonical status of all Orthodox jurisdictions in Ukraine. We asses it primarily from the pastoral perspective and concern for the good and salvation of human souls.”
“At the same time, we believe,” the Primate added, “that these processes are an internal affair of the Orthodox side. We do not interfere, are not involved and generally try not to comment because it is beyond our competence. Although we still care about the fate of our Orthodox brethren. In compliance with our ecumenical concept, we want to build sincere, open relations with all churches and religious organizations of Ukraine,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The Head of the Church also emphasized that the UGCC is trying to be the Church which guards genuine religious freedom in Ukraine.
"We are entirely opposed to situations when the state gives privileges to any particular Church or religious organization. For, all Churches, regardless of their proportions, are equal before the law,” the Primate noted.
During the meeting, His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed his conviction that true democracy and the level of religious freedom are not manifested in the extent the state supports the largest and most powerful denomination, but also in the extent to which the rights of religious minorities are secured.
In conclusion, the representative of the Embassy of Germany assured that the German side was very closely monitoring the process of unification of the Orthodox in Ukraine and would insist that the religious rights of all citizens be respected.
Accordingly, they would advocate that the rights and freedoms of the UGCC on the part of the Ukrainian State be properly secured.
