Archbishop lauds pope's acknowledgment of Eastern Catholic churches

Published: 2008-04-24

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI's special acknowledgment of the Eastern Catholic churches in the United States during his U.S. visit offered Ukrainian Archbishop Stefan Soroka of Philadelphia encouragement for his church to continue energetic evangelization in this country and in Ukraine. During his meeting with Catholic bishops at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington April 16, Pope Benedict recognized the presence of bishops from "all the venerable Eastern churches in communion with the successor of Peter." "Your presence here is a reminder of the courageous witness to Christ of so many members of your communities, often amid suffering in their respective homelands," the pope said during his address to the U.S. bishops, which followed a vespers service. The Ukrainian Catholic Church is one of 22 Eastern Catholic churches. It is fully in union with Rome but has maintained the liturgical and spiritual heritage shared with the Orthodox churches.

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