Annual Report. PATRIARCHAL CURIA UGCC 2019

62 Church involvement in the development of civil society in Ukraine External Relations Department in Ukraine Justice & Peace Commission Ecumenical Commission Bureau of the Environmental issues Church involvement in the development of c i v i l soc iety in Ukraine Department of external relations in Ukraine 2019 was a volatile year for Ukrainian society and the political sys- tem. We had presidential and parliamentary elections. The results were surprising for most of the analysts — Ukraine got a new president and a mono–majority in the Parliament composed of the pro-presiden- tial party "Servant of the people." The majority of people want to see quick and easy solutions to long lasting unresolved issues. However, as Ukraine is nearing its 30th anniversary of independence, some major problems — such as corruption, paternalism — have not been resolved. There is a high demand for building up a civil society which will help overcome an increasing populism and desire for quick results at any cost. The Church advocates that members of laity and clergy should par- ticipate in public life and that such efforts are an integral part of the Christian vocation. The UGCC Synod of Bishops appealed to priests who work directly with church communities to take an interest in the civil responsibilities of their parishioners and to cooperate with local governments in this area. The Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church has been cooperating closely with other faith communities in Ukraine affirming the importance of the role of the Churches in the development of civil society The Department of external relations of the Patriarchal Curia of the UGCC has enabled continuing cooperation within the framework of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO) — the most influential institution of civil society in Ukraine, co-founded by the Ukrainian Greek- Catholic Church