VATICAN CITY, MAY 7, 2004 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received the credentials of the new ambassador of Ukraine, Grygorii Fokovych Khoruzhyi. He told him that the people of Ukraine "feel part of Europe due to the traditions and culture that characterize them and they want to establish a more intense relationship with the other nations on the continent, while preserving their own political and cultural characteristics."
"Ukraine," he continued, "will be able to better develop its mission as a bridge between different peoples and cultures, while maintaining intact its own unique identity. Working actively in spiritual, social, political and economic matters, it will be able to become a significant laboratory of dialogue, development and cooperation for all."
The Holy Father emphasized that the Gospel "has shaped life, culture and institutions, and therefore, Ukraine has the great responsibility of understanding, defending and promoting its Christian heritage, a distinctive trait of the nation, which remained undamaged, even during the unfortunate dictatorship of communism."
After highlighting the Ukrainian government's interest in religious freedom, the Pope expressed the desire that "a legal definition of churches be decided upon soon, based on effective equality for all, and that, at the same time, agreements can be reached on the teaching of religion and recognition by the State of theology as a university discipline. In addition, I hope that the stipulated agreements are satisfying on the delicate topic of the restitution of confiscated Church goods during the communist dictatorship."
On May 5, during a ceremony in Ukraine attended by Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State, Ukrainian governmental officials returned to the Catholic Church a building which was once the residence of the Catholic bishop of Lviv of the Latins and was later confiscated by the Communist regime.
Speaking about the religious climate, John Paul II indicated that "Christ's disciples unfortunately are still divided and this is perceived with regret by the Ukrainian community. However, ecumenical dialogue continues and leads to stricter accords in reciprocal respect and in a constant search for the unity that Christ wanted. May this sincere and far-sighted dialogue intensify thanks to everyone's contribution!"
The Holy Father concluded by emphasizing that the Catholic Church in Ukraine, "from its independence till today, has known a promising springtime of hope, and in each one of its components, is driven by the desire to reach full unity with all Christians."
CD/CREDENTIALS/UKRAINE:KHORUZHYI VIS 20040507 (410)
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