STATEMENT OF THE UKRAINIAN WORLD CONGRESS

ON THE PASSING OF POPE JOHN PAUL II

    His Holiness John Paul II was a tireless servant of the Lord and an exemplary shepherd of his flock. His tenure as the steward of God’s holy, catholic and apostolic church was marked by more accomplishments than anyone in recent memory. His passing beckons introspection of perhaps the most metamorphic period in the history of mankind. To a great degree the changes that took place were a result of his efforts. For years he will serve as an example not only for his successors but also for all who care for God’s children. His loving nature yet firm commitment to the teachings of the Gospel made the world a better place.

    The Holy Father’s visit to Ukraine in 2001 will not only be remembered by the Ukrainian people as a high honor bestowed upon the Ukrainian Catholic Church but will be recorded in history as a reaffirmation of our spirituality as followers of Christ. Equally meaningful was the beatification of twenty-eigth martyrs from the Ukrainian Church accomplished by the Holy Father during his visit. We pray that the Holy Father’s good faith effort to formally recognize the Ukrainian Catholic Patriarchate will be completed shortly by his successor. 

    We bow our head in deep respect of this truly great and wonderful man who touched all our lives. At this time we call upon the Ukrainian people worldwide to lend their prayers for the repose of the Holy Father’s soul and for the completion of his vision. Through the Ukrainian Catholic Church and its Patriarch Lubomyr we offer our condolences to the more than one billion Catholics and all our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world.

April 4, 2005