The bishops of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States have released a pastoral letter, “On Dignity and Freedom,” marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. In the document, the bishops reflect on the moral and spiritual foundations upon which the American nation was built, the contribution of the Ukrainian community to its development, and the ongoing struggle for freedom.
This was reported by Archeparchy of Philadelphia Ukrainian Catholic Church.
The letter emphasizes that the American project was founded on the conviction that every person possesses God-given dignity and inalienable rights. The bishops stress that the Christian understanding of the human person became the cornerstone of American democracy and civil society. In their view, the love of Christ must remain the foundation of both personal and public life and serve as a source of renewal for the modern world.
The bishops also devote special attention to the history of Ukrainians in the United States. They note that the first major waves of Ukrainian immigration arrived in America in the 1870s from Galicia and Transcarpathia. Ukrainians built churches, established civic organizations, schools, and cultural associations, and actively contributed to the development of American society. The first Ukrainian Greek Catholic parish in the United States was St. Michael the Archangel Church in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, founded in 1886 through the initiative of Father Ivan Volianskyi. Over time, a network of Ukrainian parishes spread to dozens of American cities.
The letter also highlights the contributions of Ukrainian Americans to the nation’s public life. Members of the Ukrainian community served in the U.S. military during the World Wars, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other military campaigns, while also contributing to science, culture, education, and modern technology. The bishops emphasize that Ukrainians have become an integral part of American history while preserving their own spiritual and cultural heritage.
A significant portion of the message is devoted to Ukraine. The bishops underscore that today the Ukrainian people are fighting not only for their own territory but also for the fundamental principles of freedom and human dignity. In their view, Ukraine’s struggle demonstrates that human rights come from God rather than from state authority and that no empire has the right to destroy them. They note that Ukrainians are paying a high price for freedom, just as Americans once did while defending the independence of their own nation.
The authors of the document also address contemporary challenges facing American society, including political polarization, a crisis of trust, and social division. Referring to the words of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky on the importance of unity and respect for authority, they call on Americans to embrace solidarity, responsibility, and mutual respect. In the bishops’ view, genuine social renewal is possible only through love, a willingness to listen to one another, and a shared commitment to the common good.
The letter places special emphasis on the role of the laity in public life. The bishops remind Christians of their duty to be active citizens, participate in elections, stay engaged with social issues, and bring Christian values into politics and public service. They stress that while the Church does not offer political programs, it calls on the faithful to build society on the foundations of truth, justice, and love of neighbor.
Concluding their message, the bishops emphasize that both the United States and Ukraine are called to defend human dignity and freedom and that these values require constant protection and renewal. They urge people to remember that freedom is not only a legacy inherited from previous generations but also a responsibility owed to future generations. The authors place their hope in God, who remains the source of truth, justice, and love for all peoples and generations.
Photo: ukrcatholic.org
Author: Danylo Pievchev