KIEV, Jun 15, 01 (CWNews.com) - The major archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Church on Friday defended Pope John Paul II's decision to visit the former Soviet republic this month against criticism from some Orthodox leaders.
"Many years' experience have shown his presence has had only a positive effect on the countries he has visited and I don't recall a single instance where relations worsened," Cardinal Lubomyr Husar told a news conference. The five-day visit begins on June 23.
The Russian Orthodox Church, to which the majority of Orthodox in Ukraine are linked, has criticized the visit, saying the Pope should first renounce efforts by Catholics to regain property taken from them by the Soviets and given to Orthodox parishes and to seek converts among the millions of unchurched people in the country.
Major Archbishop Husar said the Pope would use the visit to urge the country's Christians to improve their relations. "The Pope will touch on the theme of unity amongst Christians because we are all witnesses to how much hurt these divisions have brought to our nation," he said.
Catholic World News Service - Daily News Briefs
15. juni 2001