EU Ambassadors to the Holy See assured the head of the UGCC of their support for Ukraine
His Beatitude Sviatoslav, head of the UGCC, met online with the ambassadors of the European Union countries accredited to the Holy See on February 16. During the forum, they talked about Ukraine and the service of the UGCC in the context of the current international crisis.
The head of the UGCC told the ambassadors of the European Union countries that the UGCC already has experience of serving in the war in eastern Ukraine and in occupied Crimea.
"Our priests did not leave their people under any circumstances. Therefore, now that we see various diplomats and politicians leaving Kyiv, the principled position of our Church is to be with its people," the first hierarch said.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav said: "Ukraine is experiencing not only the threat of a Russian military invasion but has been a victim of Russian propaganda and disinformation at the international level for several years. In addition, Ukraine is constantly experiencing economic and political aggression."
The head of the UGCC added that the religious life of Ukraine also does not stand aside from the information attack of Russia: "in our country, there is an interreligious and interfaith confrontation."
Patriarch Sviatoslav spoke about the prayer in Hagia Sophia on the day of national unity, which "is an eloquent gesture of spiritual unity of our people and the highest representatives of various religions and confessions... According to the latest statistical studies, Ukrainian society most trusts churches and religious organizations. Therefore, the Church has a special mission to be the core of the unity of our people."
"As for the service of the UGCC in this busy time, our church remains with its people. This is our most important mission," the hierarch said. For this purpose, he said, the UGCC created a "solidarity network to be close to the people who most need help."
His Beatitude Sviatoslav asks the international community not to forget about Ukraine, noting that it "needs the solidarity of the international community", and recalls a recent telephone conversation with Cardinal Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, and Pope Francis ' call for worldwide prayer for peace in Ukraine on January 26.
"We are grateful to the Holy Father, the diplomatic efforts of the Holy See, various episcopal conferences in Europe and other international institutions of the Catholic Church for supporting Ukraine and awakening the consciousness of the international community. We highly appreciate every gesture of such solidarity and do not feel abandoned," the head of the UGCC said.
In the context of the information war against Ukraine, His Beatitude Sviatoslav stressed the importance of "telling the truth". "Disinformation causes great damage to our country, its reputation, and economic development. Therefore, I ask you to be the voice of the truth about Ukraine," the head of the UGCC appealed to the ambassadors.
In conclusion, ambassador Valkenburg thanked His Beatitude Sviatoslav for the meeting and assured of the support of Ukraine from the diplomatic corps of the European Union countries under the Holy See.
The meeting of the head of the UGCC took place on the platform of the European Union Delegation to the Holy See in cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine to the Holy See. The meeting was also attended by Andriy Yurash, the newly appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to the Holy See.
