INITIATIVE GROUP TO DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF BELIEVERS AND THE CHURCH IN UKRAINE

 304115.11.2006

This Initiative Group was formed in Halychyna on 9 September 1982 by released political prisoner Josyp TERELYA. It was joined by Stefaniya Petrash-Sichko, Father Hryhory Budzynsky (secretary), Father Ihnatiy and Father Dionisiy. The Initiative Group called on the authorities in Ukraine to open churches and monasteries of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church previously closed down, to revive the seminaries in Lviv and Uzhhorod, and to send Ukrainian theology students to Rome and other European cities to receive education. The Group issued a bulletin “Chronicle of the Catholic Church in Ukraine”. On 24 December 1982 Josyp TERELYA was arrested and sentenced to 1 year labour camp. The Group was headed by Vasyl Kobryn. On his release, TERELYA returned to his position as chairperson of the Group, however from 1 March 1984, due to poor health, he stepped down in favour of Vasyl Kobryn.  Both Kobryn and TERELYA were soon arrested, however the Group functioned up till perestroika.