Pope calls for intensified Catholic-Orthodox dialogue in Ukraine

Published: 2004-05-10

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II called for more intense efforts in promoting ecumenical dialogue in Ukraine. "When I think about the religious situation of the dear Ukrainian people, I cannot neglect that the disciples of Christ are still unfortunately divided," which leaves a sense of "sorrow in the whole Ukrainian community," the pope said. The pope made his remarks May 7 in an address to the Holy See's new ambassador to Ukraine, Grygorii Fokovych Khoruzhyi, as Khoruzhyi presented his letters of credentials. The pope called for stepped-up ecumenical dialogue in Ukraine. "May this sincere and farsighted dialogue not only continue, but intensify with everyone's contribution," he said. Ukraine is a predominantly Christian country that includes Orthodox, Latin- and Eastern-rite Catholic and Protestant churches.

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