Head of the UGCC on the Day of Responsibility: "Respecting another person means recognizing one’s own dignity"

20.10.2020, 18:09

The Gospel calls for loving one's neighbor as oneself. By despising our neighbor, we despise ourselves and, in fact, abuse our own freedom. That is why Christ tells us, "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise." This was emphasized by Father and Head of the UGCC His Beatitude Sviatoslav during the online marathon dedicated to the Day of Responsibility of the Bohdan Havrylyshyn Family Foundation on October 19, 2020.

Source: The UGCC Department for Information

The marathon was attended by Khrystyna Havrylyshyn-Batrukh, Oleksandra Matviychuk, Pavlo Sheremeta, Yevhen Hlibovytsky, Anzhelika Rudnytska, Iryna Ivanchyk, Ruslana Lyzhychko, Bohdan Beniuk and others. The event was moderated by Olena Bekreniova and Roman Koliada.

At the beginning of his speech, the Head of the UGCC said that he gladly supported the establishment of the All-Ukrainian Day of Responsibility.

"Today we are in the moment of human history when irresponsibility can destroy freedom, and the ghosts of modern totalitarianisms are already looming on the horizon,” the Head of the Church explained.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav said that he had had the opportunity to discuss the issue of responsibility with Mr. Bohdan Havrylyshyn.

As the Head of the UGCC recalls, Mr. Bohdan was convinced that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed by the UN is not being fulfilled today due to the crisis of understanding the personal responsibility of modern man for his actions, for his personal vocation, for the society and environment. Therefore, he and his students began working on the Declaration of Human Responsibilities.

"I would very much like every Ukrainian to read this Declaration of Responsibilities, because it deserves special attention," said His Beatitude Sviatoslav. At first glance, this Declaration in many respects echoes the Ten Commandments of God. "This is especially evident in the fourth paragraph: respect others. According to the basic principles of the Christian worldview, respect for every person, regardless of race or origin, religion or belief, is based on the dignity of this person," he explained, emphasizing that it is very important to note that this dignity is innate, not acquired or granted by human society or any authority.

We, Christians, respect the dignity of every human being as one who is created in the image of God and is the crown of God's creation. Pope Francis in his latest Social Encyclical "Fratelli tutti" states: "Very often we are forced to state that in today's world human rights are not the same for all… When human dignity is respected and its rights are recognized and guaranteed, then its creativity and personal initiative flourish and the human person can implement countless own initiatives for the common good."

"Indeed, without revealing the dignity of every person and human respect, we should not talk about the change of society and the world in which we live," His Beatitude Sviatoslav is convinced.

Declaration of Human Responsibility:

1. Speak the truth

2. Take care of your health

3. Learn and develop your talents

4. Respect others

5. Be a free person

6. Strive for harmony

7. Protect other people's rights

8. Slve problems

9. Respect parents and family

10. Love and teach your children

11. Build an effective society

12. Take care of the environment

13. Help your country

14. Think about future generations

15. Be tolerant of diversity

Source: https://bhfamily.org/en/declaration-human-responsibilities/

Tags: #Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) #Bohdan Havrylyshyn