Cardinal Lubomyr Husar visits Washington (01/11/04)

Cardinal Lubomyr Husar visits Washington

by Serhiy Zhykharev
Ukrainian National Information Service

WASHINGTON - Traveling the world to minister to his flock as an emissary of peace, Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, considered Patriarch of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, visited Washington, on December 10, 2003.

The Ukrainian National Information Service (UNIS), which is the Washington office of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), arranged meetings with NCSJ (formerly known as the National Council on Soviet Jewry) and Mykhailo Reznik, Ukraine's newest appointed ambassador to the United States.

Participating in an hour-long meeting at NCSJ were Mark Levin, NCSJ executive director; Shai Franklin, NCSJ director of governmental relations; Lesley Weiss, NCSJ director of community services and cultural affairs; Bishop Walter Paska (emeritus); and Michael Sawkiw Jr., UCCA president.

At the NCSJ Cardinal Husar elaborated on the degrees of cooperation that exist among various major religions in Ukraine. A special council was formed by officials of the Ukrainian Catholic, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim faiths to represent their interests before the Ukrainian government, as well as to discuss issues regarding restitution of former religious properties.

"We want to understand each other," stated Cardinal Husar, "and through our council, not only do we respond to various needs, but we bring forth mutual trust within our respective communities."

Mr. Levin briefed Cardinal Husar on the role of NCSJ, especially during Soviet times, as well as their work and projects in Ukraine and other newly independent states following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. "Our goal is to educate people about tolerance," explained Mr. Levin, referring to anti-Semitism throughout the world. Cardinal Husar spoke of anti-Semitism in Ukraine in relation to historical episodes versus modern society and how the Soviet government had antagonized various groups to cause disunity and fear. Patriarch Husar and the NCSJ agreed to remain in contact, especially concerning the restitution of religious property in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Catholic primate also met with Ukraine's new ambassador to the United States, Mykhailo Reznik. During the meeting, the Church leader spoke of the need to present a more balanced and positive picture in the Western media regarding reform efforts in Ukraine.

Ambassador Reznik reflected upon Ukraine's positive contributions to global security: peacekeeping forces in Iraq; a nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) battalion deployed in Kuwait during the Iraqi war; assistance in the fight against international terrorism, etc.

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