On March 2, 2025, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, met with the clergy of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg during his visit to Canada. The meeting took place online with the participation of Metropolitan Lawrence Huculak and Bishop Andriy Rabiy.
“I would like to thank you very much for the fact that, at least in this virtual way, we can have a joint meeting. Because I always want to have the opportunity to communicate with priests. You, dear Fathers, are truly on the front lines of our church mission, our ministry,” His Beatitude addressed the priests.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav detailed to the participants the purpose of his visit to Winnipeg, as well as the results of the Permanent Synod’s meetings in Toronto and Ottawa.
Also, he emphasized the importance of clergy unity and the need for constant communication. “If we do not meet, do not see each other, and do not share thoughts, a natural process of distancing occurs. And our global Church then faces the danger of fragmentation,” he warned.
Patriarch Sviatoslav called on the priests for active interaction and fraternal support: “A priest cannot be alone. We are one whole, and our strength is in unity.”
He especially highlighted the role of the clergy in helping newly arrived Ukrainians in Canada, and also called on priests to be leaders of faith and spiritual care for the new wave of immigration.
“Today, our people are in great need of leadership. We must help newly arrived Ukrainians not to get lost, not to lose touch with their roots. One of the missions of the Church is to gather the scattered,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
In addition, the Patriarch urged priests to pray the Liturgy every day, live a daily Eucharistic life, and also pray the Office. “Then you will truly be an effective pastor who will live the prayer of the Church,” added the Patriarch.
Summarizing the meeting, His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized that priests should be not only good shepherds but also a support for the faithful in times of challenges and changes.
At the end of the online meeting, Patriarch Sviatoslav had the opportunity to communicate with each priest of the Archeparchy and answer their questions.