The Council of Christian Churches of Ukraine issued an Appeal on the need to build our lives on the basis of legal culture.
This was reported by the IRS.
The full text of the document is provided below:
"Hearken unto me, my people," says the Lord, "and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people." (Isaiah 51:4)
We, the Christian religious leaders, appeal to every citizen of our country and to the authorities to strictly observe the legal procedures that are the basis of the existence of every legal and democratic state, the key to unity, peace and mutual respect.
Over the thousand-year history of Christianity in Ukraine, a conscientious people faithful to God's commandments has been formed. Following God's law out of faith and conviction, in good faith and honesty (not out of fear), is a distinctive feature of our people. We must develop and implement this trait in the entire sphere of state law, for without it, no organized human community can exist, especially not a complex mechanism such as the state.
Having overcome the trials of the war, we are now on the way to joining "free nations", communities where respect for human rights is above all, communities with a high level of welfare and stable growth of the population, a high level of security, both personal and public. All these mark a high level of legal culture demonstrated in these countries by both public authorities and the common people. Without fostering the same level of legal culture in our people, especially in our government officials, we cannot hope to join this circle of blessed countries.
This is especially true for those engaged in the civil service, both military and civilian, given that in a democratic state, in order to ensure security, social harmony and law and order in society, only the state has the right to use force. That is why the requirements for a high level of legal culture of civil servants are so high, and the procedure for exercising these functions is so clearly regulated - state authorities and local self-government bodies and their officials are obliged to act only on the basis, within the limits of authority and in the manner provided for by the Constitution and laws of Ukraine (part 2 of Article 19 of the Constitution of Ukraine). This imperative norm requires a high level of legal awareness among everyone within the civil service and cannot be leveled under any circumstances.
Unfortunately, cases of violations of Ukrainian legislation have recently become more frequent, which are "justified" by the psychological and physical condition of civil servants who have been injured or concussed on the battlefield. Such unfortunate incidents, and especially attempts to justify them, destroy the very foundation of statehood, cause a split in society between the strata, and harm the harmony and mutual understanding vital to defeating a fierce enemy. We cannot allow people in uniforms to be associated with arbitrariness and lawlessness, for a person wearing a defender's uniform is a manifestation of their noble sacrifice and civic maturity.
In the same regard, the rhetoric of civil servants that the Constitution and law do not apply in times of war is particularly dangerous and harmful. This is a manifestation of legal nihilism and an encroachment on the very democratic structure of our country, our identity, freedom and hope for a better future. These are the things our heroic defenders are fighting for, shedding blood and giving their lives.
Therefore, our compliance with the legal norms of our state and international law, which are derived from the Law of God, is the best response to the aggression of totalitarianism and lawlessness, which has already been openly manifested in the armed form by the Russian Federation against our people. Moreover, such an attitude of life, characterized by a high level of legal culture, is a help to our glorious defenders on the battlefield, as we must win on our home front too.
May God's blessing be with us in this struggle for truth and the law, for the two are inextricably linked.
Amen.