Cardinal Mykola Bychok gave an interview about the diplomatic battle for Ukraine

<span><span><span><span><span><span>In the first half of July, as part of an official pastoral and humanitarian visit from Australia, the world’s youngest cardinal, Mykola Bychok, arrived in Ukraine. He traveled through various regions of Ukraine, visiting several key cities, including Odesa.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>Intent did not miss this event and interviewed His Eminence. </span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>Cardinal Mykola Bychok is the youngest member of the College of Cardinals of the Catholic Church (he was appointed in late 2024), combining his religious duties as Bishop of Melbourne of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Australia with vigorous international advocacy for Ukraine’s interests during the war. The purpose of his visit is to see firsthand the consequences of Russian aggression, gather testimonies about people’s lives under wartime conditions, and support the local population and clergy.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>“I’m visiting to understand what’s happening, to experience for myself what people feel every day, every night… I’ll also be able to tell others how a rocket flew right over my head and exploded in two seconds. In other words, it’s about being on the ground, experiencing it firsthand so that later… I can convey this truth about Ukraine to the whole world, and in particular to the places where I currently serve: Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania,”</span></span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span><span><span>said Mykola Bychok.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>The cardinal noted that in the era of fake news and artificial intelligence, it is very important to convey accurate information to the world. According to him, it is also necessary for the Vatican—which is under pressure from various sides—to know the truth about the war in Ukraine. </span></span></span></span></span></span>

<span><span><span><span><span><span>He also explained why</span></span></span></span></span></span>the Vatican has not yet granted the UGCC the status of a patriarchate. According to Mykola Bychok,<span><span><span><span><span><span>the reason is that the Moscow Patriarchate still wields “significant influence, first and foremost in Ukraine, but also on the international stage.” However, he believes that despite all the obstacles, the Pope will still grant the title of patriarch to our church, which is one of the largest Eastern churches. </span></span></span></span></span></span>

Mykola Bychok also noted that the Holy Father recently strongly condemned the theory of just war, which justifies the initiation of military action by invoking the strength of the more powerful party.  

<span><span><span><span><span><span>The cardinal touched on the topic of the release of priests from Russian captivity and the return of deported Ukrainian children. He specifically addressed the issue of denominational differences on the front lines and pointed out where to seek God during shelling and difficult situations.</span></span></span></span></span></span>

Юлія Калабайда