Corruption schemes exist and continue their destructive action - Ukrainian religious leaders issues a statement on the situation in the country

The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and religious organizations AUCCRO) expressed concern over the current state of social and political life in Ukraine and urged politicians to think not about rankings but about Ukraine and future generations.

This is noted in the AUCCRO statement:

“The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and religious organizations as one of the largest institutions of civil society in Ukraine is concerned the current state of social and political life in Ukraine.

We appeal in the first place to civil society - all the people of Ukraine to raise awareness of the realities of modern life our state, to adopt a critical attitude, but at the same time – discernment in the perception of reality, as well as the predictive modeling of the consequences of action or omission. In addition to the blessing of God, for which the believers raise fervent prayer, all of us now are especially in need of heartfelt love and sober understanding in order to make right decisions. Let us remember that our strength is in unity and hard work, each in the right place. Constant quarrels, disputes and false hope that someone will come and do our work for us only weaken Ukraine.

We address to all political groups and political trends, as well as government officials of the highest level with a word of warning against politicking, which is inadequate in their position and is especially dangerous in this difficult time. Any pursuit of political ratings and enrichment that places personal interests above the common good of the people is a violation of God’s law and is an utterly immoral act before the impoverished and disappointed people. It is with deep concern that we have to state that the corruption schemes, which are destructive for the state and had destroyed the institutions of the former regime, still exist and continue their destructive action. It is also a real threat to the very existence of the independent Ukrainian state. Therefore we urge politicians not only to be the ones who care about ratings and the next elections, but to become real statesmen, who are concerned about Ukraine, listen and hear the opinion of the people, care about their nation and the future generations, including in the long-term.

We are asking you to stop caring narrow party interests and financial gain in this difficult and threatening time for Ukraine. Political or financial ratings are the same vanity as all transient and fleeting things in this world, because they bring no true happiness to anyone. It is in the service of the common good lies the true God’s calling of every responsible politician and a source of happiness and blessing for himself and for all people.

Remember the position of our international partners who persistently and reasonably urge all of us to implement fast and effective reforms and, above all, to fight corruption, which is destroying our nation from inside and nullifies all international assistance programs.

We appeal especially to the President of Ukraine as the guarantor of conciliarity of our state and constitutional rights and freedoms of its citizens and to the Ukrainian Government and the parliamentary forces: with regard to experience and all the tragic consequences of authoritarian regimes, it is with pain and anxiety that our people perceive any signs of concentration of excessive power in the hands of one person. You all are called to prevent the recurrence of such dangerous developments. We believe that only a healthy balance between all branches of government – legislative, executive and judicial ones that our current Constitution provides for, and a responsible attitude of everyone to their duties will be a reliable guarantee of the sustainable democratic development of Ukraine, the implementation of large-scale reforms and an effective fight against corruption.

As an integral part of civil society and as leaders of major churches and religious organizations of Ukraine, we express our readiness to meet with the President, the Government, the parliamentary forces in order to bring across in more detail and in person our positions and opinions as well as those of our faithful.

May God’s blessing rest on all of us and on Ukraine!”