Annual Report. PATRIARCHAL CURIA UGCC 2019

24 The Great Synod of Bishops One of the most important events of the year 2019 was the Synod of Bishops which took place September 1 to September 10 in Rome to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the consecration from St. Sophia’s Cathedral, founded by the late Cardinal Josyf Slipyj. A total of 39 hierarchs from Ukraine, Central, Northern and Western Europe, North and South America and Australia gathered together under the leadership of the President of the Synod and Primate of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk in the Eternal City of Rome to express their unity with the succes- sor of St. Peter and the Universal Church. An awareness of the importance of fostering this unity and a search for the best ways to affirm and strengthen the bonds of communion were central to the Synodal deliberations. Besides the members of the Synod, some distinguished hierarchs from the Vatican and the Italian Bishops Conference visited the Pontifical Ukrainian College of St. Josaphat on Janiculum Hill where the Synodal sessions were held. Among them: His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Secretary of State), His Eminence Cardinal Guiltiero Bassetti (President of the Italian Bishops Conference), His Eminence Cardinal Angelo DeDonatis (Vicar of the Holy Father for the Diocese of Rome). Eastern Churches have a tradition of collegial leadership called the Synod, which is a gathering of all the bishops of the Church. The Synod, headed by the Patriarch (or Major Archbishop) is the highest order of leadership in the Church. There are currently 41 active bishops participating in the UGCC Synod of Bishops, not including bishops emeritus. There is an annual meeting of the Synod of the Bishops of UGCC. The Permanent synod is the executive committee for the head of the UGCC. Permanent synods are attended by elected bishops (4), usually on a quarterly basis or ad hoc. There are also Synods of Bishops at the metropolitan or local level. UGCC Synod of Bishops Rome, September 1-10, 2019 39 hierarchs from Ukraine, Central, Northern and Western Europe, North and South America and Australia gathered together in Rome for the annual Synod of Bishops The highlight of the Synodal Assembly was an audience with the Holy Father Pope Francis on September 2nd. His Beatitude Sviatoslav on behalf of the Synod of Bishops addressed the Holy Father with these words: "We came here because we aspire to be a Synod." UGCC Synod of Bi shops