Ukraine responds to the Papal Visit
Certainly the Pope's visit to Kyiv and Lviv (23 to 27 June 2001)was major news for Ukraine. Economic, political and social problems are the usual order of the day for most Ukrainians. Consequently, most Ukrainians were glad for an opportunity to focus their attention and energies in a different direction.
The Ukrainian government, known to the world mostly for scandals and corruption, was glad to receive some positive international attention. The local media had an opportunity to shine in the global spotlight. Obviously the Roman Catholic and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Churches warmly greeted a visit from their spiritual father. Non-Catholic religious communities hope that this will encourage a spiritual and cultural renewal in a country troubled by economic and social problems.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate, however, voiced its objections to the visit. It claimed that Orthodox in western Ukraine are oppressed by Ukrainian Greek Catholics and that Rome intends to expand its missionary activities intowhat they consider to be "traditionally Orthodox" Ukraine.
Various responses from all of these groups are available:
- Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate
- Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate
- Governments and Other Sources
- Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
