International Volunteers not Allowed into Ukraine to Restore Monastery

04-08-2008

04.08.2008, [12:32] // Charitable activities //  - Lviv— Representatives of the international youth camp Slahoda cannot begin restoration of a monastery in Pidkamin (in western Ukraine’s Lviv Region) because of problems at the customs crossing at Medyka-Shehyni. The group, which is bringing along tools for restoration, is not being allowed into Ukraine. zik.com.ua posted the news on 1 August 2008.

“The group has been at the border for more than a day,” said the leader of the camp, Oleh Vasylenko. “Because of this we cannot start at the scheduled time, on 4 August. To set up the tent city will take two days. That is why we are looking for help from various sources.”

According to Vasylenko, Polish customs let the car through the border with no problems. But Ukrainian customs workers are demanding necessary documents for the tools and equipment.

From 3-14 August, 18 international youth camps will take place. Youth from many countries in Europe, 150 people, will work together to renew the monastery, which was ruined by the Soviet government and will build contacts between representatives of various Christian denominations.

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), Patriarch Lubomyr (Husar), UGCC Archbishop of Lviv Ihor Vozniak, and Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh, auxiliary of the UGCC’s Kyiv Archeparchy, plan to visit the camp.

http://www.risu.org.ua/eng/news/article;23920/