Annual Report. PATRIARCHAL CURIA UGCC 2019

23 "Be witnesses of Christian hope" In the face of "complex situations, caused by the conflicts," Pope Francis said the main role of the Church is "that of offering witness of Christian hope." For this reason, he said, "the priority for believers" should be "that of remaining united to Jesus, our hope." Pope Francis encouraged the Pastors to be concerned primarily for prayer, and for the spiritual life of themselves and of their flocks. "It is the first occupation," he said. "No other goes before it." Upon the conclusion of the meeting, the Holy See Press Office released official Communique which stated: "Along with his collaborators, Pope Francis appreciated the history of this Church, her spiritual, liturgical, theological and canonical tradition, and her fidelity to communion with Peter’s Successor, confirmed and sealed with the blood of martyrs…It is hoped that this method of sharing may continue, with the purpose of promoting the harmonious development of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, as well as the other oriental Catholic Churches, in their identity and mission". Fostering a spirit of closeness He also recommended that the Bishops should be close to their people: "The closeness of the Pastors to the faithful is a channel that is built day by day, and which brings the living water of hope." In that "spirit of closeness," the Pope recalled the humanitarian initiative he promoted in favour of Ukraine. He expressed his gratitude to all who "contributed to the realization of this collection, both on the economic level, and on the organizational and technical levels." Synodality In addition to "prayer" and "closeness," Pope Francis added, as a third feature of their pastoral activity, the concept of "synodality" which "leads to broadening horizons, to liv- ing the wealth of one’s own tradition within the universality of the Church… The unity in the Church will be far more fruitful, the more the understanding and cohesion between the Holy See and the particular Churches will be real."