Churches unite to appeal for peace

Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox leaders urged citizens to mobilise in defence of their homeland, as an internationally brokered ceasefire was attempted in the eastern Donbass region.

“International law and moral principles are being violated in a bid to prevent Ukrainians forcibly from independently determining their own destiny,” the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches said in a declaration. “We will do everything in our power to stop the bloodshed, establish lasting peace and overcome hostility. However, we also recognise the right of [defence against] aggression by those who illegally took up arms with an evil intent to sow death, sorrow and tears.”

The declaration was issued as the ceasefire, negotiated between the Ukrainian Government and Russian-backed separatist forces in Minsk, came into force last weekend. Co-signed by Latin and Greek Catholic leaders, as well as Ukraine’s three rival Orthodox denominations, the appeal appeared to support claims of growing national unity against perceived threats from Moscow.

Meanwhile, the Vatican’s Kiev-based nuncio confirmed the Holy See had not recognised Russia’s annexation of Crimea last year.