There are 20 ongoing wars in the world. Yet the world turns its gaze to Ukraine because here we call a spade a spade: this is good, and that is evil."
This opinion was expressed by Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan of the UGCC, chairman of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and President of the UCU in the project "Proper Names" by Miroslava Barchuk. The text and video of the conversation were shared by LB.ua.
"This is due to modern technologies, of course. But today, there are 20 wars going on in the world. We don't pay so much attention to the war in Yemen or Mexico. And I believe that people pay attention to Ukraine because Ukrainians call a spade a spade: this is good, and this is absolute evil, and this is not just a theoretical and philosophical statement ― I am ready to give my life for it. Not words, but the sacrifice of blood, Christ's sacrifice, fascinates people. They don't know why they're paying attention to it. Why can you see a blue and yellow flag on the streets in different villages and towns in the United States? Why have American Catholics already donated more than? 100 million to the humanitarian needs of Ukrainians? Under the influence of popular harassment, why did the United States increase its support for Ukraine 100 times, increasing spending from half a billion dollars a year to 50 billion? Now Ukraine is the only issue where Democrats and Republicans vote unanimously.
This is a miracle. But this is a consequence of the moral position and special sacrifice of people at the front and the whole Ukrainian people, who support this war and struggle. And I bow my head to everyone in Ukraine, particularly the armed forces of Ukraine," says Metropolitan Borys.
He cited the words of the head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav: "we will forgive and reconcile when the enemy stops killing us."
"Now is a time when not by the power of hatred, but by the power of truth, not by the desire for revenge, but by the desire for truth, and by courage and wisdom, we must protect innocent people, our cities, our families, human dignity and, ultimately, the right of the people to determine their identity. I believe that with this spiritual focus and virtues, we will be most effective in protecting and preserving the country and its development. Reconciliation cannot take place without repentance. And there can be no reconciliation without justice," Metropolitan Borys concluded.