Annual Report. PATRIARCHAL CURIA UGCC 2019

61 The UGCC Penitentiary chaplaincy office organized a n all-Ukrainian pilgrimage of penitentiary staff to the Monastery of the Univ Lavra on June 22-23, 2019. Led by prison chaplains, 120 employees of the penitentiary institutions (together with their families) participated in this year’s pilgrimage seeking spiritual renewal and strengthening of moral values. The pilgrimage included a Hierarchical Liturgy, an evening of remembrance of the Blessed Omelyan Kovch (who ministered in a concentration camp and was murdered by the Nazis). In addition to that, 109 staff members of the penitentiary institutions with their families participated in the military pilgrimage to Zarvanytsia on Sep 21-22, 2019. We are determined to carry out our mission in correctional institutions in Ukraine. We realize that it is very important to grant an official status to our chaplains and our legislative initiatives are geared in that direction. We appeal to the state officials and try to break existing stereotypes in society toward inmates and their families trying to convey a message of forgiveness and God’s mercy. We are united with our prison chaplains providing them with formational support, supervision and our prayers of gratitude for their service and dedication.