The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholics, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, has vowed that his Church will not abandon the Ukrainian people, despite threats of all-out invasion by Russian forces.
Shevchuk was speaking at a press conference organised by pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need when he mentioned the importance of the Church’s presence in Eastern Ukraine, despite the fact that the number of faithful in that part of the country is very small.
“Most of the people there are over 65, and today they are not able to receive their pensions. So, we are facing a serious humanitarian crisis in this occupied territory, and assistance is becoming more difficult. The priests are unique mediators who can travel and take some resources”, explained Major Archbishop Shevchuk.
“Even though many of the faithful emigrated,” he added, “the number present in Sunday Divine Liturgies did not decrease. The possibility of having their priests present is vital. Those priests who stay there with our people, are the heroes of our times. They will not be running away. We will stay with our people, as we stayed in Crimea.”
Regarding Moscow’s tactics in the region, the leader of the Greek Catholic Church said they are reminiscent of Soviet times. “I was a Soviet soldier. In the Soviet army violence was the first and the last instrument for solving problems. First you have to hit your enemy, then talk to them. If you are trying to establish dialogue you will be considered weak, even when you are manifesting a desire to avoid escalation. Culturally, religiously, politically, we have to stand against using violence as an instrument”, he said, complaining that the world is witnessing a rise of what he called “an idolatry of violence”.
The current Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Lithuanian Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, also spoke during the press conference, highlighting the fact that the Catholic Church is well respected, and revealing the possibility of a papal visit in the near future. “In Ukraine, the most trusted religious person is Pope Francis, even though the majority of the people are not Catholic. I hope such a visit will be possible soon. We are waiting and hoping”, he explained.
Russia objects to what it considers Western encroachment on its borders and area of influence, and has warned against Ukraine trying to join Nato or the European Union.
Meanwhile, in the early evening of Friday 4 February, the International Day of Human Fraternity, on the plaza in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool, there took place a Vigil of Prayer for Peace and Reconciliation between Russia and Ukraine and all other nations in conflict.
A banner reminded people of these other countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Libya, Myanmar, Mozambique, Sudan. The vigil was organized by the Missionaries of Africa who are in charge of the parish of St Vincent de Paul, Liverpool. Fr Terry Madden, M.Afr., welcomed the group of between 70 and 80 people who had braved the cold and the rain to be present, including representatives of Pax Christi Liverpool. The following took an active part in the vigil: Sr Pennie MacInnes (Sister of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary), Mrs Moira Potier, Ibrahim Syed (leader of the Merseyside Network of Mosques), Rev. Mike Loach (Vicar in Birkenhead) Rev. Dr. Miranda Threlfall-Holmes (Anglican, Rector of St. Luke-in-the-City), Priyanka Mohta (Hindu), Rev. Taras Khomych (Ukranian Catholic Church), Cardinal Michael Fitzgerald, M.Afr. and Archbishop Malcolm McMahon, O.P who gave the final blessing. Paul Glover led the singing during the prayer and Barbara Tolmie sent the group on their way with a song for peace.