September 8, 2023 statement

September 8, 2023

Recently published articles about a thirty-year-old monument at St. Mary's cemetery in Elkins Park, PA have alarmed and hurt the Jewish community of Philadelphia. At the same time, they have evoked concern among the Ukrainians in the area. The pain in our communities reflects the tragic and traumatic history of the twentieth century – a century when millions were brutally slaughtered by totalitarian regimes.

The Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia values its relationship with the Jewish community and intends to address the issues at hand with the depth and seriousness that they deserve. Therefore, we plan to engage in an open, scholarly, and compassionate dialogue with the organizations that have contacted us regarding this matter in order to find an acceptable solution.

Metropolitan Borys Gudziak,

Ukrainian Catholic Archbishop of Philadelphia