The 1st Catholic Youth Forum Between Latin Rite and Ukrainian Greek Rite Catholics

“Young Catholics in Ukraine share the same dreams and experiences, no matter whether they are Latin Rite or Ukrainian Greek Rite Catholics. First of all, they long to build closer ties with the pastors of the Church: bishops, priests, and spiritual guides. They pray a lot for peace in Ukraine, and together with the youth from other countries, they show that their faith and brotherhood are above any war or conflict.” This is what Fr. Michal Wocial said, a Salesian priest serving the National Youth Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, in Ukraine.

This 1st Catholic Youth Forum took place from 8^th to the 10^th of June. The gathering -attended by clergy and youth leaders from all the dioceses- aimed at bringing together the reflections and contributions of the young people for the upcoming Synod of Bishops, as well as to create new ties of cooperation for the future between Latin Rite and Ukrainian Greek Rite Catholics in the field of youth ministry.

“We discovered that working together for the sale of the youth could be another way to strengthen the unity between our churches” says Fr Wocial.

Participants of 1^st Catholic Youth Forum spent three days praying for the youth, sharing their experiences and searching for the best ways to accompany young people in Ukraine.

They were lead in prayer by His Beatitude, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, and the Most Rev. Eduard Kava, O.F.M. Conv., Auxiliary Bishop of Lviv.

Together they prepared and signed a final document concerning the experience and expectations of young Ukrainians for the Church.

They also expressed the hope to continue this kind of bilateral meetings in the future.