On behalf of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) expressed condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the plane crash in Donetsk region and urged the international community to do everything possible to stop armed aggression against Ukraine. This was stated in his letter to the ambassadors of foreign countries, published by the UGCC Information Department.
“The terrible news came from eastern Ukraine, where the terrorists shot down a Boeing 777 aircraft belonging to Malaysian Airlines with 298 people on board. The innocent lives of citizens from other nations, including those from your country joined hundreds of victims of military aggression against Ukraine. This tragedy has once again shown that the evil, which in recent months has been tearing the body of our people, represents a real threat to peace and security throughout the world.
Empathizing with the great pain caused by the crime, I express heartfelt condolences to the bereaved, assuring of our prayer and closeness to them in their grief that has become our grief too. “Merciful God, receive in your arms the souls of innocent victims, shelter them in the abodes of the righteous, and make them worthy of eternal peace and bliss!”
All our Church prays for the eternal repose of innocent victims. We remain in prayerful communion with the families of those who suffered loss and was affected by this tragedy.
We call on the entire international community to do everything possible to stop armed aggression against Ukraine, restore peace and prevent similar tragedies in the future. We are asking the Merciful God for the gift of lasting peace for Ukraine and the whole world”.