Summary and Synthesis of the Encounter of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada 24-26 May 2005, Winnipeg
In May 2005, at the invitation and under the patronage of Most Rev. Michael Bzdel, CSsR, Archbishop of Winnipeg and Metropolitan for Ukrainian Catholics in Canada, the Permanent Synod of the Ukrainian Catholic Church met in Winnipeg. At the same time, there was a gathering of the Ukrainian Catholic clergy, religious and monastics of Canada for a national encounter on the theme Mission of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada and Its Future.
The Winnipeg Encounter will be remembered as a particular historical moment in the life of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada – already well into its second century of existence. Every Ukrainian Catholic eparchy in Canada was widely represented. Over 250 priests, deacons, seminarians, religious and monastics were able to meet and pray with the Father and Head, Lubomyr Cardinal Husar. His presence, as well as that of the Bishops of the Permanent Synod, was a sign of the unity of the Ukrainian Catholic Church dispersed throughout the world, and of its particular historical, spiritual, liturgical and theological patrimony.
Participants of the Encounter were able to focus on the particular concerns, needs and opportunities of our Church in Canada. They reflected on their commitment to serve those who were born and baptized in Ukrainian Catholic parish communities, on the need to reach out to those who may have left the Church, and on the mandate to preach the Good News of Our Lord to those who have yet to hear it. Some of the concerns and issues addressed were: liturgical renewal, evangelization, youth ministry, ecumenical work and formation, family ministry, use of the internet for the Gospel, and much more. Throughout the Encounter participants were united in the love of the heavenly Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. They returned to their homes determined to carry out the mission of service, evangelization and spiritual renewal in their communities.
The following summary and synthesis were compiled by Fr. Stephen Wojcichowsky (Edmonton) and others. While each report does render all of the ideas expressed, they do not give the passion nor the frequency with which issues came up. For example, the need to work with youth, the respect for the contribution of the laity, the role of women, the need to be true to our Eastern Christian tradition, the ecumenical dimension – these five – were of great concern to the participants. Other things were left unsaid that perhaps should have been, e.g., the place of English in our worship and in our conversations (although it was modelled marvellously throughout the Encounter). Admittedly, a number of things were said by the Patriarch, Bishop David, and Father Andriy Chirovsky that covered many of these areas. There is no doubt that the workshops also covered a number of these points (though not all the participants were present for each workshop). It is hoped that it the publication of these reports, further discussion may continue among all the members of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Canada.
