Ідеї екуменізму в публіцистиці митрополита Андрея Шептицького: сучасне прочитання
Authors: Babenko Oksana 
Published: April 2023

Subject of the article’s study – ecumenism of Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytskyi and reflection of this phenomenon in the works of scientists and modern Ukrainian media. Main objective of the study: analyze what Ukrainian scientists, journalists and different media are writing about Sheptytkyi’s ecumenism. Methodology: We used a bibliographic method to accumulate factual material, a qualitative content analysis to isolate the ideas of ecumenism from the journalism of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytskyi, a cultural-historical method that made it possible to consider the ideas of ecumenism in the context of the era, the connection with the historical context, as well as methods of synthesis and generalization, induction and deduction. The study process description: In our scientific article, we analyzed the doctoral dissertation of His Beatitude Lubomyr Huzar entitled «Andrei Sheptytskyi, Metropolitan of Halytskyi (1901-1944). Herald of ecumenism». His Beatitude Lubomyr defended this fundamental work at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome back in 1972. Therefore, we observed how this work reflects the historical prerequisites, features and development of Sheptytskyi’s ecumenism, who, according to His Beatitude Lubomir, was a kind of innovator in this field, a person who was ahead of his time. We also analyzed the reflections on the ecumenism of Sheptytskyi´s father, doctor Ivan Datsk, which are reflected in his book «In Search of Faithfulness and Truth». In addition, we turned to the scientific text «Ecumenism of Sheptytskyi» by professors Mykola Vegesh and Mykola Palinchak. Subsequently, it was analyzed how the scientific work became a useful basis for the coverage of Sheptytskyi’s ecumenism in the press. In particular, in the columns of the cultural and social site «Zbruch» in Diana Motruk’s article «In Search of Church Unity». We also turned to the «Spiritual Greatness of Lviv» website, where in 2020 an interview with Mykhailo Perun, who shot the film «Sheptytskyi: Relevant information», was published, illustrating the ecumenical initiatives of this figure. In addition, we analyzed the publication on Radio Svoboda for 2022, dedicated to the anniversary of Sheptytsky’s stepping into eternity. It is also mentioned there about of Sheptytskyi’s ecumenism as his landmark activity. Subsequently, we found an article on the website «Christian and the World», where in a conversation with the scientist Dr. Andrii Sorokovskyi entitled «Andrei Sheptytskyi believed that the union is a synthesis, communion and dialogue between the East and the West, – Andrii Sorokovskyi» also analyzed the phenomenon of Sheptytskyi’s ecumenism. Results: we discovered that Sheptytskyi’s ecumenism was studied not only by numerous scientists, but this meaningful legacy of his is a valuable phenomenon for media coverage. Therefore, Sheptytskyi’s ecumenism becomes the subject of interest of journalists not only of publications that write mainly on church topics, but also socio-political and artistic ones. We are sure that Sheptytskyi’s ecumenism will continue to be studied by professional scientists and representatives of the wider media community. Significance: journalism of a religious orientation, high-quality and substantiated coverage of religious processes and phenomena in the press is still something quite new for modern Ukraine. In Soviet times, journalists were afraid to write about religion in order not to incur the wrath of the authorities, so such materials could not be included in the press. That is why it is very important to study how today’s journalists cover important issues of religion, which, in addition, have a strong scientific basis. In addition, the development of ecumenism and religious unity are extremely important for building national unity, which is necessary for our state to effectively confront the enemy in full-scale war. Key words: ecumenism; Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytskyi; media; interreleigion cooperation; dialogue.