Communiqué Of the 2026 Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

COMMUNIQUE
Of the 2026 Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

Zarvanytsia, July 1–10, 2026

From July 1–10, 2026, the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church held its annual gathering at the Marian Spiritual Center «Zarvanytsia». Participating in its work were: 49 bishops of the UGCC from Ukraine, Western and Central Europe, North and South America, and Australia. Among them were: 34 ruling hierarchs, a bishop of the Curia of the Major Archbishop, nine auxiliary bishops, and five bishop-emeriti.

Guests of the Synod of Bishops

At the beginning of the first working session, the Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, greeted the members of the Synod, particularly the new members who were consecrated bishops during the past year: His Eminence Bishop Ihor Rantsya, eparchial bishop of the Eparchy of Saint Volodymyr the Great in Paris, and His Eminence Bishop Mariusz Dmytereko, auxiliary bishop of the Eparchy of Wrocław-Koszalin.

His Beatitude also mentioned Bishop Petro Stasiuk of blessed memory, who reposed in the Lord on August 25, 2025 in Canada and was buried in the crypt of Holy Apostles Peter and Paul Cathedral in Melbourne (Australia).

The Synod was also attended by His Excellency Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, who arrived together with the Counselor of the Apostolic Nunciature, Monsignor Věkoslav Holík, as well as invited guests: Jona Maksim, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Prešov, Bishop Teodor Matsapula, Ruling Hierarch of the Mukachevo Greek Catholic Eparchy, together with his Auxiliary, Bishop Nil Luszczak; Fr. Yuriy Kolasa, Vicar General of the Archbishop of Vienna for faithful of the Eastern Catholic Churches in Austria, Fr. Andrés Martínez Esteban; aVicar General of the Archbishop of Madrid for the faithful of the Eastern Catholic Churches in Spain, and Rev. Vasyl Kolopelnyk, Vicar General for Ukrainian Greek-Catholics in Romania.

Тhe Synod also received Rev. Dr. Thomas Schwarz, Director General of the German Catholic Charitable Foundation «Renovabis,» and Fr. Archimandrite Andreas Thirmeyer. The Synod Fathers expressed to them, and through them to their donors, their sincere gratitude for their solidarity with our Church and the Ukrainian people during this time of continued trials. They also gave assurances of their prayers for all who remember, pray for, and support Ukraine.

A Word of Greeting from the Apostolic Nuncio

The Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, addressed the members of the Synod with a word of greeting. He expressed profound appreciations for the joint appeal of His Beatitude Sviatoslav and a group of cardinals of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic Church in Poland regarding the current situation in Polish-Ukrainian relations.

Archbishop Wisvaldas also shared key points from his recent visit to Rome and meetings with the Holy Father and the leadership of the Secretariat of State of the Holy See. He emphasized the spiritual dimension of the current Russian war against Ukraine and called for continued prayer for the conversion of Russia in accordance with the appeal of the Our Lady of Fatima. The Apostolic Nuncio encouraged the bishops not to lose courage, to develop fraternal relations with other Churches in Ukraine, and to continue to sacrificially serve the people suffering from the war, sharing with them their pain and hopes.

In closing, he emphasized that the Eastern Catholic Churches, and especially the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, are a great treasure of the entire Universal Church, and called for the continued sharing of its spiritual heritage and experience with the Universal Church.

Keynote address of the Father and Head of the UGCC

The Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, delivered a keynote address in which he presented the current state of life and ministry of the Church, in particular in Ukraine, in conditions of continued Russian aggression.

His Beatitude emphasized the courage and endurance of Ukrainian defenders and the entire Ukrainian people, who, despite daily threats and dramatic challenges of the last winter, did not lose hope and found an inner strength to resist evil.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav also informed the members of the Synod of the activity of the Permanent Synod, whose sessions, since last year’s Synod of Bishops, were held in Australia, Brazil and Spain. He emphasized that holding such meetings contributes to strengthening the unity of the Mother Church with her spiritual children scattered throughout the world, to revitalizing pastoral ministry and developing the structures of the UGCC, especially where they are still in a stage of formation.

The Head of the Church dedicated particular attention to the ministry of the clergy both in Ukraine and abroad. During the discussion period following the keynote address, the Synodal Fathers exchanged views on the pastoral care of persons affected by the war, as well as of Ukrainians who were forced to seek refuge abroad. Special focus was given to the support of clergy who carry out their ministry with great dedication in conditions of Russian aggression.

The Main Theme of the 2026 Synod of Bishops

The second day of the Synodal sessions was dedicated to the main theme of this year’s Synod: «Vocations Ministry to the Priesthood and Monasticism.» Two Patriarchal Commissions were responsible for its preparation: For the Clergy (headed by His Excellency Bishop Bohdan Danylo) and For Monasticism (headed by His Excellency Bishop Mykhailo Bubniy).

The introductory presentation was delivered by His Excellency Bishop Bohdan Danylo on the topic «The Role of the Family, Community and Bishop in Nurturing and Forming Priestly Vocations: A Call to Create a Culture of Self-Sacrifice, Fatherhood and Encounter.»

Then, the participants of the Synod received a number of co-reports devoted to various aspects of vocations ministry.

Father Taras Putko, rector of the Ivano-Frankivsk Theological Seminary, presented a report entitled «Vocations in the UGCC in Ukraine: Strategic Analysis, Demographic Vision, and a Roadmap for Parish Priests.» Father Andriy Onuferko, protosyncellus of the Toronto Eparchy, covered the topic «Vocations in the UGCC outside Ukraine: Analysis of Collected Data on Priests and Deacons Ordained since 2010.» Father Ihor Boyko, director of the Sheptytsky Hospital Charitable Foundation, delivered a report entitled «The Face of Vocations Today: A Sociocultural and Psychological Portrait of a Seminarian.»

In the second part, following an introductory presentation by His Excellency Bishop Mykhailo Bubniy, the following co- reports were delivered on the topic of the vocation to consecrated life: Studite Hieromonk Sava Masnyk presented the topic «Contemporary Youth in Consecrated Life: Expectations — Formation Response.» Hieromonk Andriy Syvak, SJ, presented a report on: «Charism, Community and Mission in the Discernment of a Vocation: Experience, Difficulties and Renewal of Institutes of Consecrated Life». Sister Kateryna Molochy, MNI, delivered a report, titled «The Family in the Context of Issues of Faith, Education and Present-day Challenges.»

Following the presentations, the Synodal Fathers engaged in a broad discussion of the main topic. The work continued in small groups, where the bishops had the opportunity to exchange views and formulate specific proposals that formed the basis for synodal decisions.

The Pastoral Situation of the UGCC in Ukraine and the World

A significant part of the Synod’s work was devoted to reviewing the pastoral situation in the metropolias and other church structures of the UGCC in Ukraine and abroad. The bishops analyzed the context in which the Church carries out its ministry today, highlighting the greatest challenges and discussing possible responses to them.

His Eminence Cardinal Mykola Bychok reported on the life of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Australia, New Zealand and Oceania. Bishop Danyil Kozlinsky spoke on the development of pastoral ministry of Ukrainians in the Eparchy of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos in Buenos Aires (Argentina). Metropolitan Volodymyr Kovbych presented an overview of the life of the Church in Brazil.

Bishop Andriy Rabiy, auxiliary bishop of the Winnipeg Archdiocese, reported on pastoral ministry in the Winnipeg Metropolia (Canada). Metropolitan Borys Gudziak reported on the situation of the UGCC in four eparchies of the United States of America.

Bishop Bohdan Dzyurakh reported on the current state of the four hierarchical structures of the UGCC in Western Europe — the Eparchy of the Holy Family in London, the Eparchy of St. Volodymyr the Great in Paris, the Apostolic Exarchate in Germany and Scandinavia, and the Apostolic Exarchate in Italy. Metropolitan Yevhen Popovych presented an overview of the life of the Przemysl-Warsaw Metropolia.

The Synodal Fathers dedicated particular attention to the life of the Church in the four metropolias of Ukraine. Metropolitan Teodor Martyniuk presented an overview of the pastoral situation, as well as the main social and church challenges in the Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Ternopil-Zboriv metropolias. The Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, as its metropolitan, reported on the life of the Kyiv-Halych Metropolia.

The presentation of these reports was followed by a lively exchange of views. The Synodal Fathers shared their experience, analyzed the current state of the life of the Church in Ukraine and abroad, and made proposals for the further development of pastoral ministry, strengthening mutual support, and deepening unity between all church structures of the UGCC.

Liturgical and social questions

Among important topics reviewed in this year’s Synod was the consideration of liturgical issues, which were presented by the chair of the Patriarchal Liturgical Commission, Bishop Hryhoriy Komar.

In particular, the Synod Fathers reviewed the texts prepared for publication of a new Archieratikon, an updated Liturgy of the Hours Book, and an official prayer book of the UGCC Pryidite Poklonimsia (Come, Let Us Worship»).

The bishops gave special attention to the social ministry of the Church in the conditions of ongoing Russian aggression. The war continues to cause the Ukrainian people unspeakable suffering and gives rise to new humanitarian challenges, to which the Church is called to respond with concrete acts of mercy.

In an effort to respond ever more effectively to the numerous needs of those affected by the war, the Synod Fathers received a report from Ms. Tetyana Stavnycha, President of the Charitable Foundation «Caritas Ukraine,» on the activities of the organization, which, on behalf of the Church, provides structured humanitarian assistance to people affected by the war.

The bishops expressed their sincere gratitude to the leadership, employees, and volunteers of the Foundation for their sacrifice, perseverance and dedication to serving their neighbor, providing timely and vital assistance to thousands of people.

Canonical Questions

One of the most important tasks of this year’s Synod was to consider for approval the draft text of the Code of Canons of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

This collection, which includes over 730 canons, is the fruit of more than a decade of work by the Working Group under the leadership of Metropolitan Yevhen Popovych, Head of the Canonical Department of the Patriarchal Curia.

The Code consists of nineteen titles that regulate various spheres of the life of the Church, including issues of its hierarchical structure, the ministry of bishops and clergy, the activities of parishes, the rights and duties of the laity, consecrated life, missionary activity, ecumenism, interreligious dialogue, the teaching ministry of the Church, liturgical life, church administration, material security, social ministry, and the administration of ecclesial justice.

In the course of the sessions, the Synod members systematically reviewed each canon, offered their comments, clarifications and proposals, thus continuing the work of the Synod on the formation of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church’s own particular law.

Reports from church structures and other matters

A traditional component of the Synod’s work has been the reception of reports from church structures at various levels.

Metropolitan Yevhen Popovych presented a report on the state of the judicial process in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Bishop Kenneth Novakivsky presented a report of the Pastoral Council of the Patriarchal Curia. Bishop Andriy Khim’yak delivered a final report on the activities of the patriarchal commissions and departments over the past year. Fr. Adrian Knysh provided a progress report on the beatification process of the righteous Metropolitan Andriy Sheptytsky.

The patriarchal finance officer, Fr. Lubomyr Yavorsky, presented the financial report of the Patriarchal Curia, a report on donation collections and the activities of funds established by the Synod of Bishops of the UGCC. He also provided information on the activities of the Patriarchal Foundation Mudra Sprava («Wise Deed») and a progress report on the construction of the Patriarchal Center in Kyiv.

The Synod Fathers also received information on the activities and mission of the Ukrainian Catholic University, presented by the rector of the university, Dr. Taras Dobko. During the discussion the Synod members emphasized the important role of the Ukrainian Catholic University in the formation of responsible civic leadership, the development of Christian thought and the cultivation of a culture of service. Special attention was given to the university’s contribution to the training of catechists, biblical animators and lay leaders who carry out their ministry in the parishes of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine and abroad.

Common Prayer and Closing

As every year, the work of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church took place in an atmosphere of common prayer and spiritual discernment. Homilies at daily Liturgies, as well as retreat reflections during the Day of spiritual renewal, were offered by Studite Hieromonk Sava Masnyk.

Each working session began at 9:00 with a prayer for the fallen defenders of Ukraine, for fallen civilians and all victims of Russian aggression. In this way, the Synod Fathers joined the National Minute of Silence, honoring the memory of all who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of Ukraine.

On Saturday, July 4, the bishops celebrated a requiem service, liturgically commemorating their departed brothers in the episcopal ministry. During the service, the names of the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church who had passed away since the end of the 9^th century were mentioned, according to the list of remembrance prepared by the Secretariat of the Synod.

On Sunday, July 5, the Synodal Fathers visited the parishes of the Ternopil-Zboriv Metropolia and neighboring eparchies, where, together with the clergy and the faithful, they prayed for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, for the Ukrainian people, their defenders, and for all who suffer from the consequences of the war.

On Tuesday, July 7, during a fraternal dinner, the bishops congratulated this year’s jubilarians— bishops, priests, consecrated persons, and laity—expressing their sincere gratitude to them for their many years of dedicated service to the Church and their significant contribution to the preparation and organization of the Synod.

At the end of their work, the Synodal Fathers approved the text of the Pastoral Letter of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church «„’Follow Me!’ (Mr. 2:14): Vocations to Priestly Ministry and Consecrated Life in the Contemporary World“, dedicated to the main theme of this year’s Synodal gathering, and also approved a series of letters to the Heads of sui iuris Churches, Episcopal Conferences, the leadership of the Ukrainian government and Synod members who, for just cause, were unable to take part in its work.

The Synod of Bishops also voted to hold its next annual gathering in late August of 2027. The main theme of the next Synod is to be: «Communication strategy of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church.»

The Bishops expressed gratitude to the clergy, consecrated persons and laity of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church for their faithful service to God and the Ukrainian people in conditions of war, calling on everyone to continue to remain witnesses of Christian hope, unity and unwavering faith in the victory of good.

Concluding their work, the Synod Fathers entrusted to God and the intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the Ukrainian people, our defenders, all those affected by the war, prisoners of war, those missing in action, and internally displaced persons. They called on the clergy, consecrated persons, and laity to tirelessly pray for the victory of truth, a just peace, the liberation of Ukraine from the Russian aggressor, and the spiritual revival of the Ukrainian people.