UGCC bishops called on Ukrainians to vote responsibly and on politicians to adhere to Christian values
A memo to a Christian voter and a Christian politician was issued by the bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, led by Patriarch Sviatoslav. The document was published by the UGCC Department of Information on February 14, as the election race is gaining momentum in Ukraine.
The Bishops of the UGCC emphasize that every citizen must realize their duty to participate in the social and political life of the Motherland and to perceive it as an integral part of their own Christian vocation.
“Passivity or inaction is a manifestation of indifference, selfishness, laziness, and hence sin. Participation in the political life of the state is at the same time adhering to the gospel commandment of love for one's neighbor. The deliberate avoidance of such participation, in particular from participation in elections, is a manifestation of indifference not only to candidates from the authorities, but also to society as a whole,” the bishops warn the believers.
A Christian voter’s memo about awareness of responsibility for their own voice.
They also note that elections are a civil and moral duty of Ukrainians. That is why the choice must be carefully thought out and weighed, and it must also not be forgotten that every citizen has to respect the opinion and decision of another and not be left alone, "when being a witness to bribery, manipulation, illegal schemes that run counter to holding fair and just elections.”
A Christian politician memo regarding the commitment to adhere to Christian values in its political activities.
A Christian politician, the bishops believe, is bound to adhere to Christian values in their political activities: to respect the dignity of a human personality, the sanctity and inviolability of human life from its conception to natural death and traditional Christian family values; to participate in the creation of fair laws, to condemn uncompromisingly corruption, to respect the freedom of conscience and religion, to take responsibility for people, and to use different media and information channels in order to testify to the truth.
The bishops add in their memo that in order to achieve the stated goals the politicians shall “not abuse the authorities, guided by mercenary motives and trying to satisfy any of their private or corporate interests at the expense of the common good.” As well as “to contribute to the protection, spreading and adoption in the society of Christian values and moral and ethical principles, especially in education, health care, economics, politics, mass media and international relations, and in general in all social institutions, creating Ukraine as a Christian state”.
