ROME – From September 15 to 21, 2025, the annual General Assembly of the Pastoral Council of the Ukrainian Catholic Church was held in the city of Rome. Representing the Archeparchy of Winnipeg, the Most Reverend Bishop Andriy Rabiy, auxiliary bishop, took part in the gathering. This year’s meeting, held at the Pontifical Ukrainian College of Saint Josaphat, brought together over 40 participants from around the world—bishops, priests, monastics, and laity—and was dedicated to the highly relevant theme of pastoral care for families.
The main goal of the assembly was to analyze and deepen the understanding of the Christian family’s role as a domestic Church and the foundation of a healthy society, both in times of war and in the future. Participants continued their work on developing concrete steps for the implementation of the strategic program “UGCC Pastoral Plan – 2030,” adapting it to contemporary challenges.
The head of the Pastoral Council, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, emphasized the importance of such meetings: “The annual General Assembly is not only a time of meeting and prayer but also a space for the mutual enrichment of experience. Each eparchy, archeparchy, or exarchate lives in its own unique circumstances, yet the challenges of pastoral ministry unite us… This synchronization allows us to harmoniously implement the decisions of the Synod, adapting them to local realities while at the same time maintaining a unified strategy. A common path helps us to better understand the needs of the faithful and to respond to them in a spirit of unity and solidarity.”
The week-long program was intensive, featuring daily Divine services, reports, and lively discussions in small groups. Special attention was given to the resolutions of the Synod of Bishops on the pastoral care of families. Participants heard a report from Bishop Arkadiy Trochanowsky, head of the commission for family, and discussed important issues such as supporting families during the war, ways to involve men in active church life, liturgical initiatives for families, and a pro-family policy strategy. Following the work, a series of resolutions was adopted for further implementation in the eparchies.
The spiritual highlights of the assembly included prayerful and memorable events. On Wednesday, September 17, participants took part in a general audience with His Holiness Pope Leo, receiving his apostolic blessing. On Friday, September 19, a pilgrimage was made through the Jubilee Doors of St. Peter’s Basilica. The delegates also visited the Cathedral of Santa Sofia, where they met with Bishop Hryhoriy Komar, the Apostolic Exarch for Ukrainian Catholics in Italy.
Sharing his impressions from the trip, Bishop Andriy Rabiy noted: “This assembly was a powerful testimony to the unity of our Church and its concern for the family, both in Ukraine and outside its borders. The exchange of experiences with bishops and priests from Ukraine, Europe, and America has given us new ideas and practical tools for serving our families. It was especially important to hear about the challenges that families in Ukraine face. We brought home not only resolutions but also deep inspiration and a sense of shared responsibility for the future of the Ukrainian family. It was a time of renewal and strengthening of our common mission.”
The General Assembly of the Pastoral Council is a key platform for exchanging experiences and developing strategies that strengthen the missionary service of the Church. This year’s meeting once again confirmed that the accompaniment and support of families, who today face numerous trials, remain an unconditional priority for the entire Ukrainian Catholic Church.
