Rome recently played host to a gathering of 45 out of 56 bishops from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), who convened for a significant synod from September 3 to September 13. With the theme “Pastoral Support for Victims of War,” this meeting served as a prelude to the upcoming Synod on Synodality, which will bring hundreds of Catholic bishops to Rome.

The Synod of Bishops of the UGCC featured not only established bishops but also four new ones who had been ordained following the July 2022 synod in Poland. Led by Grand Archbishop Svyatoslav Shevchuk, who has headed the Church since 2011, the bishops gathered to discuss the vital role their Church plays in sharing Ukraine’s story with the world.

Amidst the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the synod participants hoped for a clear message of support from Pope Francis. During an audience with the members of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Holy Father reiterated his commitment to ending the deadly conflict and offered his support. The UGCC, with its 4.3 million members, mainly residing in Ukraine, Poland, Canada, the United States, and South America, is a beacon of hope during challenging times.