Metropolitan Borys Gudziak Speaks at King’s College in Pennsylvania on Peace and War in Ukraine
Archbishop Borys Gudziak, president of the Ukrainian Catholic University and Metropolitan-Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, visited King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on October 21, 2025, to deliver a lecture entitled “The Church — An Instrument of Peace Amid War: Reflections on the Invasion of Ukraine.” The event was part of the College’s annual St. Francis Peace Day Lecture series.
During his visit, Metropolitan Borys held two meetings — with students and a broader audience — sharing reflections on the meaning of peace, dignity, and faith amid the war in Ukraine.
The event was opened by the college president, Rev. Thomas P. Looney, who welcomed the Metropolitan and all participants. At the beginning of the lecture, Dr. Joel Shuman, professor of theology at King’s College, introduced the Archbishop.
About five hundred people attended the meetings — students, faculty, clergy, and faithful of various denominations. Among the guests were the Roman Catholic Bishop of Scranton, Joseph Charles Bambera, as well as clergy of the Ukrainian Catholic Church: Rev. Myron Myroniuk, Rev. Nestor Iwasiw, and Deacon Ihor Demydas. Also present was Rev. Andriy Dumnych, a priest of the Byzantine Catholic Church.
The Metropolitan began his talk by reflecting on the greatness of God’s creation and the humility of God, who became human: “God, who holds the universe in His right hand, becomes a man and lives the life of a carpenter. If this were in Wilkes-Barre, He would probably be a miner. And He does not use force — He shows that before human freedom, God becomes powerless.”
Metropolitan Borys called war the culmination of sin, as it embodies lies, violence, and the desire to seize what belongs to others — land, history, language, and resources.
“What can the Church do in the face of such evil? We can do what Jesus does with humanity: be near, stand together, walk alongside. This is exactly what the Church in Ukraine is doing. Bishops, priests, monks, and parishes — all are at their posts. Parishes are centers of resilience.”
He explained that churches in Ukraine have become places of warmth and hope, where people can warm up, charge their phones, receive a hot drink, and find support.
“The Church can speak the truth, and the truth sets us free. The worst suffering is to endure without seeing meaning. We need meaning that flows from relationships and connects our existence with the Lord,” said Metropolitan Borys.
“Peace is not just absence of fighting but faithfulness to God’s will. Even in suffering, one can live spiritually. In Ukraine, despite the war, people love, create, and support one another — this is deep peace, like that of Christ on the Cross.”
The Metropolitan again thanked Roman Catholics for their support, especially the Knights of Columbus and other Catholic charitable organizations.
“Your solidarity, your prayers, and your informed witness are vitally important for the cause of peace. On behalf of all the people of Ukraine, I thank you. May God bless you.”
In conclusion, Metropolitan Gudziak reminded that after World War II, the world promised “never again,” yet evil once again seeks to destroy human dignity.
Participants in both meetings actively engaged in dialogue, asking questions about the situation in Ukraine, the challenges of war, and how one can speak about true peace in a time of violence.
