On February 8th in Kyiv the all-Ukraine forum “Ukraine 30. The Coronavirus: challenges and answers” began its work. This is a societal dialogue on the pandemic and the fight to overcome it. The first day of the forum concluded with a special session: “A conversation among religious leaders of Ukraine,” during which speakers discussed the Church’s position on vaccination against COVID-19 and specifically how their particular religious community influences the faithful on this matter. The Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church was represented at the forum by Fr. Oleksa Petriv, the director of the Department for external relations of the UGCC.
During the session Fr. Oleksa Petriv shared the experience of the UGCC in fighting the pandemic.
“The Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church has tried to adequately and conscientiously respond to the challenge before us. Thank God, because of the structure of our Church in 27 countries and on 5 continents, existing precedents allowed our faithful in various corners of the world to recognize the situation and respond appropriately. Before the declaration of a quarantine in Ukraine, we had provided instructions on adapting the spiritual life of the parishioners of our Church. Further responses to new requirements continued in the same key. As a result, during the first weeks of the quarantine, our Church established an anti-crisis committee which was, and continues to be, responsible for developing appropriate responses to issues that arise. Many measures were taken to demonstrate to the faithful of the UGCC, as well as to all people of good will, how to proceed correctly,” stated the priest.
He reminded those present, that at the end of January, during the meeting of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC, made clear the position of our Church concerning vaccination.
“Briefly this position can be characterized with three words: first, voluntary; second, and this is very important, accessible, and third, safe. Abbreviated: VAS. If the processes around vaccinations in Ukraine are conducted in conformity with these principles, our Church’s position is absolutely supportive,” affirmed the representative of the UGCC.
In addition, the director of the Department for external affairs of the UGCC also reminded the participants of the all-Ukraine forum that vaccinations are not a panacea.
“Vaccinations are only one tool in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic, albeit a very serious one. We cannot forget about the other necessities of the battle to overcome the pandemic: wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining distance. And now everywhere vaccination is added, although it is just one step in the battle,” emphasized Fr. Oleksa.
“The next step (and this will be the last challenge before us) is the question of new cures and protocols of healing,” noted Fr. Oleksa, echoing the words of the Minister of External Affairs of Ukraine.
Department of Information of the UGCC
Unofficial translation of «Добровільність, доступність, безпечність» – позиція УГКЦ щодо питання вакцинації від Covid-19 by Fr. Myroslaw Tataryn.
