ACN News: Enabling God’s Call in Ukraine

Enabling God’s Call in Ukraine


There are up to three candidates for every place at some seminaries in Ukraine, according to a bishop who thanked leading Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) for its ongoing commitment to the training of future priests.

Auxiliary Bishop Jaroslav Pryriz of the Greek-Catholic Eparchy of Sambir-Drohobych told ACN that up to half of seminary candidates in parts of western Ukraine had to be turned away because of lack of space.

In some areas two out of every three would-be seminarians are unsuccessful when they apply to begin training.

In his ACN interview, held at the charity’s project headquarters in Königstein, Germany, the bishop went on to say that candidates for seminary have to take up to four exams as part of the selection procedure.

The bishop went on to thank ACN which over many decades has prioritized help for seminarians in Ukraine.

He said, “We are extremely grateful that there are people such as you who understand the important role a priestly vocation can play in today’s world.”

“And that you put this insight into practice by offering material support for the formation of our vocations.”

In a country where a third of the population live below the poverty line, Aid to the Church in Need is supporting the diocese’s 86 seminarians and continues to help after ordination by providing Mass stipends to support its 287 priests.Anhören

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In message to the charity’s benefactors he said, “I send you sincerest greetings from Ukraine and express our heartfelt thanks to you for graciously responding to the calls of the charity Aid to the Church in Need to help our Church meet the many needs that have arisen after a period of prolonged persecution.”

“Together with you, we are building the Temple of human souls, whose grandeur depends solely on the sincerity of efforts each one of us is making according to personal ability.”

According to Bishop Pryriz, young men are being drawn to the priesthood because they are seeking a challenge.