Permanent Synod of Bishops of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, led by the head of the UGCC Patriarch Sviatoslav expressed concern over the actions of police and military units at the Independence Square at night from 10 to 11 December 2013, expressed their support and solidarity with the protesters and condemned the actions aimed at limiting the civil rights.
Permanent Synod of Bishops of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, led by the head of the UGCC Patriarch Sviatoslav expressed concern over the actions of police and military units at the Independence Square at night from 10 to 11 December 2013, expressed their support and solidarity with the protesters and condemned the actions aimed at limiting the civil rights.
DECLARATION of the Permanent Synod of the UGCC
We are profoundly disturbed by the actions of the state security forces on the Maydan Square in heart of Kyiv conducted under the cover of the night.
We condemn the action directed towards restricting civil liberties, especially the freedom of expression and peaceful civic manifestation of the citizens of Ukraine.
We declare our support and solidarity with all those on the Maydan Square who are standing with dignity and witnessing to the dignity of their fellow citizens and of the whole nation.
We strongly support the peaceful character of this civic gathering and declare our rejection of any type of violence.
We pray to God Almighty for peace, justice and the triuph of truth for our people.
In this time of great trial by the words of Jesus Christ that were proclaimed in all of our churches this past Sunday offer encouragement: “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed!” (Lk 8, 50)
May the blessing of the Lord be upon you!
+Sviatoslav Major Archbishop of Kyiv and Halych Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church
And the members of the Permanent Synod:
+Volodymyr Viytyshyn, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Ivano Frankivsk
+Ken Nowakowski Eparch of New Westminster (Canada)
+Borys Gudziak, Eparch of the Eparchy of St. Volodymyr the Great in Paris
+Yaroslav Pryriz, Eparch of Sambir-Drohobych ;
+Bohdan Dzhiurakh, Bishop and Secretary of the Permanent Synod of the UGCC