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 we can have a joint meeting, at least in this virtual way. I always want to have the opportunity to communicate with my priests. You, dear Fathers, are truly on the front lines of our church mission and our ministry,” His Beatitude addressed the priests.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav detailed the purpose of his visit to Winnipeg and shared the results of the Permanent Synod’s meetings in Toronto and Ottawa.
He also emphasized the importance of clerical unity and the need for constant communication. “If we do not meet, do not see each other, and do not share our thoughts, a natural process of distancing occurs. Our global Church then faces the danger of fragmentation,” he warned.
Patriarch Sviatoslav called on the priests for active interaction and fraternal support, stating: “A priest cannot be alone. We are one whole, and our strength is in unity.”
He specifically highlighted the role of the clergy in assisting newly arrived Ukrainians in Canada, calling on priests to be leaders of faith and spiritual care for this new wave of immigration.
“Today, our people are in great need of leadership. We must help newly arrived Ukrainians so they do not get lost or lose touch with their roots. One of the missions of the Church is to gather the scattered,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
Additionally, the Patriarch urged the priests to pray the Liturgy every day, live a daily Eucharistic life, and pray the Divine Office. “Then you will truly be an effective pastor who lives the prayer of the Church,” he added.
Summarizing the meeting, His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized that priests should be not only good shepherds but also pillars of support for the faithful during times of challenge and change.
At the conclusion of the online meeting, Patriarch Sviatoslav spoke with each priest of the Archeparchy and answered their questions.
Department of Communications of the Archeparchy of Winnipeg
