On February 16, 2022, the Institute of Ecumenical Studies of the Ukrainian Catholic University and the UGCC Patriarchal Commission on Interconfessional and Interreligious Relations within the Ecumenical Formation Program held an online meeting with His Eminence Bishop Benedict (Aleksiychuk). The topic of the meeting: “Could prayer help the ecumenical movement?”

Bishop Benedict asked the question - why are the Churches still divided? Is it not because we are used to living in separation? It is easier for everyone to have their own spheres of influence and live according to their own rules. Also, Christians often have stereotypes about each other and can live up to these limitations. And God has no limits!

Thought the ecumenical movement have been developed almost a hundred years ago, did not bring the much-desired unity, because Christians often build unity in a human way, with their own models and limitations. Therefore, His Eminence noted, it is worthwhile for all of us, as the Church, to stand before the Lord and ask for the gift of unity in the way He Himself wishes to give it, to ask Him for help to understand, convert and be ready for change.

IES President, Fr. Dr. Iwan Dacko stressed that the true prayer for unity must come from sorrow and pain due to division between Christian brothers. Other participants joined the discussion, in particular: Dr. Pavlo Smytsnyuk, IES Director, Fr. Dr. Ihor Shaban, Chairman of the UGCC Patriarchal Commission on Interconfessional and Interreligious Relations, participants of the Ecumenical Formation Program, UCU students and others interested in the subject.

The event was supported by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Full video of the meeting with His Eminence Benedict in Ukrainian.