Ukrainian Council of Churches Ready to Assist in Constructive Dialogue between Government and Maidan
Members of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO), representatives of different confessional, religious, and ethnic affiliations, in an address to mark the Day of Unity of Ukraine on January 22 called on all believers of the united Ukraine to pray for unity, understanding, peace, and a decent future for the people of Ukraine. AUCCRO also declared its readiness to contribute to a constructive dialogue and called Ukrainians to protect the territorial integrity of Ukraine and reject any idea of secession or separation.
Statement of the
All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations
to Mark the Day of Unity and Liberty of Ukraine
The Day of Unity and Liberty in Ukraine is a special celebration that not only reminds us of the unbreakable unity of all Ukrainian lands in the independent free state, but also symbolizes the unity of Ukrainians who hold diverse opinions, attitudes, and approaches to building our future.
Today in Ukraine the confrontation continues, which in recent days, unfortunately, has exacerbated. In the center of Kyiv were clashes between protesters and police, which resulted in hundreds of people being injured. In fact, the country is on the brink of civil war.
The churches and religious organizations in Ukraine condemn the forceful actions that are leading to the escalation of the conflict. Today, the authorities and the opposition and civil society activists should stop violence and start negotiations. All the parties must recognize their responsibility for maintaining a unified Ukrainian state and begin a constructive dialogue to address the sociopolitical crisis. We hope that today's celebration of the reunion and liberation of Ukraine will help us find the way to reconciliation and understanding between the government and the people, between different political forces and civil society.
We urge Ukrainians to protect the territorial integrity of Ukraine and strongly reject any idea of separatism or division of our country, because we are one nation! It is necessary to demonstrate brotherly and sisterly love for fellow citizens, despite their origin, language, or religion. Incitement to hatred due to ethnic and religious differences is unacceptable.
We, members of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, representatives of different confessional, religious, and ethnic affiliations, encourage all the faithful citizens of our united state to pray for unity, understanding, peace and a decent future for the people of Ukraine. We are ready to contribute to the beginning of a constructive dialogue.
Great God, the Only, save us Ukraine!
On behalf of the Chairman of AUCCRO
ANTHONY
Metropolitan of Boryspil and Brovar,
Ukrainian Orthodox Church
