Priests resolving the problems of Ukrainian migrants

Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church are going to discuss the question of migration at the Synod that will take place on September 2 through 9. One of the main topics raised will be the problems of Ukrainians who go abroad and how to help them, radio Liberty reports. The Synod of bishops will pay special attention to Ukrainians staying in countries with no Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church representatives, where it is hard to remain faithful to their church and preserve their faith. Not only will the bishops ponder the question of how to help those who went to work abroad, but also how to support their families in Ukraine.

A Greek Catholic Church priest Vasyl Potochniak who has worked for a long time in Italy, emphasizes that people who go to work abroad always harbor a negative attitude towards their homeland — where they did not have a job and could not provide a decent life for their families. They do this out of despair and hopelessness. The priest considers the departure of families to be one of the greatest problems of migration, as with time they lose mutual understanding and trust. Besides, Ukrainians easily pick up the negative traits of the societies they find themselves in. Therefore, the support of migrants is very important. “Having reached financial welfare, people lose families, and their work abroad is no longer worth it. At the same time, people abroad learn about democracy, order, that laws are equal for everyone. When Ukrainians come back home, they are totally different people, and still one should create appropriate conditions in Ukraine,” the priest said.