The German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine (GELCU) is deeply saddened and concerned by the events that took place in Kyiv on the night of November 30, 2013, GELC nominee for bishop Serhiy Mashevsky said in a statement.
The German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine (GELCU) is deeply saddened and concerned by the events that took place in Kyiv on the night of November 30, 2013, GELC nominee for bishop Serhiy Mashevsky said in a statement.
“We are outraged by the illegal actions against the sons and daughters of the Ukrainian people, and condemn the violence that led to the escalation of the military confrontation in our society. We deeply respect the aspirations of our fellow citizens and support their desire to be a united family with the peoples of Europe,” said Mashevsky.
“Today we are experiencing one of the most difficult moments in our history. The Almighty God holds us responsible for maintaining peace and for not allowing the further development of violent confrontation in our society.
“Violence begets violence, blood cries out for blood, hate encourages hate. We can not let intolerance, extremism, violence, and terror prevail in our country. The democratic principles of the structure of human society and the right to freedom of peaceful expression of every man are integral parts of the God commanded arrangement of society and our human dignity,” noted in a statement.
The GELCU calls on:
— All perpetrators of violence to the sincere confession of their guilt and to true repentance for their deeds;
— All the powers to objectively investigate the situation that has developed and the just punishment of those who have used violence;
— All the victims not to avenge the evil that was inflicted, but in the spirit of love help the offenders follow the path commanded by God;
— All residents of Ukraine to make all efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and the triumph of justice.
Serhiy Mashevsky urged the clergy and laity to preach the word of reconciliation in Christ. “We need, in order Savior, to be peacemakers and have around us a true testament of wisdom, justice, and forgiveness of God.”