15.12.2015, Kyiv
On December 14 a meeting of directors of local organizations of Caritas Ukraine was held in Kiev. The meeting began with a joint prayer led by Secretary of the Synod of Bishops of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Bishop Bohdan Dzyurakh in the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ.
In his address to the participants, bishop drew attention to the particular importance of Caritas service during this Extraordinary Anniversary Year of God’s Mercy, since works of mercy for body and soul of our neighbors should be evidences of our own faith and experience of God’s mercy.
He also stressed that the ministry of Caritas is the most persuasive evangelization. ‘It is a continuation of the work of Christ the Savior, who came “to bring Good News to the poor, to proclaim freedom for captives, recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:18-19)”.
“As directors of regional or diocesan Caritas centers you have a special privilege to embody the dedication, sacrifice and service of the Lord. Root of your service includes simple and obedient perception of God and of your neighbor. This is the root of everything. Caritas will die, if to cut off this root”, he said.
In the afternoon, meeting was dedicated to the issues related to the process of implementation of Caritas Internationalis Standards in practice of Ukrainian Caritas organizations network. During the discussion, special attention was paid to the Common Partnership Principles and Norms arising from religious identity of Caritas Ukraine.
The most important event of the day was a working meeting with the Father and the Head of the UGCC His Beatitude Sviatoslav. On behalf of the Synod of Bishops Patriarch thanked all employees and volunteers of Ukrainian Caritas network for their work in social service, especially in the context of the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Eastern Ukraine.
Patriarch granted to President of Caritas Ukraine Andriy Waskowycz Appreciation Letter, where it was written that “your service made you an instrument of God’s mercy, sharing the mission of the Church and witnessing good news for everyone, and particularly those who suffer and are in need. Your works of mercy to your neighbors reveal face of God full of Grace in this world so frequently marked with human suffering, loneliness, fear and hopelessness.”
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