Meeting at the Embassy and the Nunciature: Cardinal Mykola Bychok and the Patriarchal Econome of the UGCC Visited the Australian Capital Canberra

The day of visiting the Australian capital began in the local Greek Catholic Church of St. Volodymyr the Great. Together with the pastor of the parish community, Fr. Vasyl Motrychenko, the guests prayed the Divine Liturgy.

After the prayer, Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok and Frs. Lubomyr Yavorskyy and Vasyl Motrychenko went to the Embassy of Ukraine in Australia, where they were met by Vasyl Myroshnychenko, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Australia and New Zealand. First, the parties shared their experience of service and work for the good of the Ukrainian people.

Father Lubomyr Yavorskyy presented the current state of the Russian war against Ukraine, the current challenges facing Ukrainians in their struggle for independence and identity, and the constant efforts of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church to heal the wounds of people affected by this war through various ministries.”

Bishop Mykola Cardinal Bychok, as a spiritual leader of the Ukrainian community in Australia, presented the state of preparation for the events marking the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, which will take place in various cities on the continent, including Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra. These events will be attended by both Australian and Ukrainian government officials, as well as spiritual leaders and faithful of the UGCC in Australia. “These days are extremely important. This is an opportunity to once again speak the word of truth about the resilience, sacrificial struggle, and suffering of the Ukrainian people, and then call for continued support from all who share the values of justice, independence, and respect for international law,” said Bishop Mykola.

In addition, representatives of the Church and the embassy discussed opportunities for cooperation at various levels, potential programs and projects for the benefit of Ukrainians both in Australia and in Ukraine, as well as cooperation with Australian government institutions. “This is necessary so that we can continue to resist Russian aggression and support Ukrainians through various charitable organizations and projects, including the Patriarchal Foundation ‘Mudra Sprava’,” said Fr. Lubomyr Yavorskyy.

At the end of the day, Cardinal Mykola Bychok, along with the priests, visited the Apostolic Nuncio to Australia, Archbishop Charles Balvo, at his residence. According to the priest, it was a very warm and pleasant reception. “I personally had the opportunity to express gratitude to Archbishop Charles and Bishop Mykola for the immense support provided by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. In particular, the Patriarchal Foundation ‘Mudra Sprava’ received over $450,000 for the implementation of various charitable projects and initiatives,” said the Patriarchal Econome of the UGCC.

The meeting with the Nuncio concluded with a prayer for a just peace in Ukraine in Archbishop Charles’s private chapel.

Press Service of the Patriarchal Foundation “Mudra Sprava”