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09.02.2009, [16:47] // UOC-MP / RISU.ORG.UA

KYIV— The head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), Patriarch Volodymyr (Sabodan), held a press-conference on 3 February 2009 in which he shared his thoughts about the recent hierarchical and church-wide sobors [assemblies] of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). Responding to a question about Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic relations, he noted that the relations between those churches remain quite complicated mainly because of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. «Our relations with the Roman Catholic Church were not established today. They have a history and are backed by a certain experience. This dialogue should take place, for we are called to certain unity and joint service to the Lord and people. Of course, we will not compromise Orthodox traditions and rules. Neither is the Roman Catholic Church going to do so. Our relations have been quite complicated, and remain so. Frankly speaking, the main reason for this status quo is the [Ukrainian] Greek Catholic Church,” said Metropolitan Volodymyr.