AUCCRO members discussed cooperation for peace in eastern Ukraine with papal legate

On Wednesday, December 10, special representative of the Vatican and the Pope, Cardinal ChristophSchönborn made his first visit to Kyiv. Representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations had an opportunity to thank the Archbishop of Vienna and Austrian Primate for this honor and expression of solidarity with Ukraine in St Sophia park. The meeting’s specificity was the celebration of the 25th anniversary of legalization of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, as the papal legate noted.

Absolutely all the AUCCRO members attended the meeting, except forthe UOC (Moscow Patriarchate) representatives, who simply ignored the invitation. It was for the first time when the Moscow Patriarchate representativesdid not come to the Council’s meeting.

The AUCCRO in Ukraine is a unique unifying body. We ascertained this once again when we heard in different countries of the world that they were really surprised with this cooperation between religious organizations. But today we are going through a difficult time of aggression on the part of our good neighbor Russia. In order that World War III did not start, we want to settle the matter peacefully. We can force the aggressor to go to a truce. We have to influence the situation by joint efforts to defend a just peace and act in truth,” with these words PatriarchFilaret of the Kyiv Patriarchate opened the meeting.

Cardinal ChristophSchönborn conveyed congratulations and condolences to the Ukrainian people on behalf of Pope Francis and began his speech with a few words Ukrainian. He told the words of the Pope, noting that AUCCRO successfully supports the mission of the unity of all religions and enforces freedom of religion. Also the Pope asked to remember the 25th anniversary of the legalization of the UGCC, which “like other religions,was persecuted in times where atheism was imposed”.

“I'm not a diplomat, I'm a bishop. Therefore I speak freely among the brethren. The history of our churches should not become a burden to the faithful of today. We all become the history with many wounds. But people living today shall not be blamed for the actions of the past and we must give such testimony to religions. Therefore the UGCC deserves the same respect as any other church. It is sad that the guilt of past years has led to the conflicts in modern conditions. I therefore urge to judge the activities by the deedsperformed today. And it is great if we ask forgiveness from each other, as Saint John Paul II did. Religion should stand close together for the purpose of the country’s development, as their mission is to heal wounds. Deep devotion of the Ukrainian people is a signal of such development. So I’m conveying the Pope Francis’ personal blessing to Ukraine,” said the Cardinal.

Head of the UGCC, Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) said that in September the Synod appealed to Pope Francis to write a message on the situation in Ukraine. He then responded and is sending us now his own legate: “We want to thank the Holy Father for his empathy with the pains of our people and his staying beside us. Today over 5 million Ukrainians in Donbas have been affected, 500 000 people were forced to leave their homes. Also we face a looming humanitarian disaster, when people are dying not only from bullets, but from cold and hunger. But we are together with people and do not step on one side of politics,wego along with people and suffer their pain.”

Solidarity and support by Muslims was demonstrated by chairman of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims, Sheikh Ahmed Tamim. According to him, AUCCRO is a model example of unity for the community. However, he added that the problem of conflict affects not only Ukrainians: “The problem has gone beyond the troubles of our people and therefore requires response and support from the international community. It is dangerous when religion is politicized to achieve dirty goals. Especially, when the East the religious andprimarily Islamic factor is used for conflict escalation. I attest that we want to get out of this difficult situation peacefully.”

Intensification of joint work for unity and reconciliation was also supported by representatives of the Ukrainian Biblical Society in the person of HryhoriyKomendant, chair of the Jewish communityHennadyBilorytskyy, the Armenian Apostolic Church in Ukraine and Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. They again thanked Cardinal Schönborn for the visit and support of the Vatican, hoping to work together for peace.

Cooperation of the religious organizations and state without mutual interference in personal affairs was confirmed by President of Ukraine’s counselYuriyBohutski: “AUCCRO is a unique organization that cooperates with the authorities. However, the power oppresses it in no way and does not affect its activities, supporting only joint initiatives. Ukrainian authorities respect absolutely all religions and the politicians’ religious affiliation in no way affects our dialogue. We are always happy open for meetings and cooperation, and we are grateful for such respect on the cardinal’s part.”

The Council leadershiponce again thanked the Pope for the high honor and hope for further cooperation with the Vatican and throughout Europe. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn promised that this work will be established. Further he plans to meet with President Petro Poroshenko.