Patriarch Bartholomew Expressed His Desire for Unity with the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

During a recent meeting with representatives of Ukrainian Uniates in Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized the importance of strengthening relations between the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The head of the Church of Constantinople noted that there is a desire for unity between the two religious organizations, based on ongoing dialogue and shared Christian values.

According to , the press service of the UGCC, the meeting took place with the participation of UGCC cleric Ivan Stefurak. During the conversation, Patriarch Bartholomew conveyed sincere fraternal greetings to the head of the UGCC, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, recalling previous contacts and emphasizing the need for joint witness to the faith.

As a reminder, the OCU has acknowledged the possibility of a future union with the UGCC, but emphasized that this process directly depends on the reaching of agreements between the Vatican and the Patriarchate of Constantinople. Representatives of both denominations expressed “cautious optimism” regarding the timeline for rapprochement, noting that dialogue at the highest level is already underway.