His Beatitude Lubomyr appeals for a non-violent struggle

 “This is a struggle through work, activity.  Non-violence requires a very serious spiritual strength, which is not lacking among our people,” stressed His Beatitude Lubomyr.

 In answer to a request of the scenarist of the project of Lesia Khraplyva to comment on the recent events in Ukraine, His Beatitude Lubomyr noted that the authorities were the ones who resorted to the use of weapons, and not the people.  “The government began to act in an animal-like manner, and the government showed its real face, a cruel face, the face of people to whom nothing matters at all, except only to reach or protect what is theirs.  I myself look at these people now with different eyes, that they are animals, that is, you know, first-class bandits,” constituted His Beatitude Lubomyr.

 In the opinion of the former UGCC Head, the opposition was not ready for such a development of events.  “I do not know if it is to be ready for it at all.  In either case, there was a lack of leadership, people who could calmly, thoughtfully search for solutions in a very complicated situation.”

 At the same time, His Beatitude Lubomyr thinks that the situation of the last few months testified a lot about the spiritual condition of our people, “There is much good in them.  But also a lot of bad traits showed up, bad distinctive marks.  A very serious healing of our society is needed,” believes UGCC Archbishop-Emeritus.

 In thinking through the further development of events, His Beatitude Lubomyr underlined that this development should be realized “in a non-violent way.”  In the opinion of an acknowledged moral authority, non-violence “does not mean inactivity or weakness.  It must be a very conscious, consistent struggle.”  To demonstrate the success of practicing non-violent actions, His Beatitude Lubomyr noted examples from the history of India, South Africa, the struggle of Afro-Americans in USA, Czechoslovakia in 1968.  Also His Beatitude mentioned separately the realization with the participation of Ukrainians during the times of soviet totalitarianism of the uprising of the prisoners in Norilsk, where the struggle took place without the use of violence.

 “This is a battle – however, not physical, not with fist nor hammers, nor scythes, nor axes.  It is a battle to be fought by work and activity.  Non-violence demands a high degree of serious spiritual strength, which, I think, our people do not lack.  That strength is there – it just needs to be awakened much more.” emphasized the Archbishop-Emeritus.

 The spiritual leader of the Greek-Catholics believes that further non-violent struggle will bring on very serious changes in society: “It [the changes-ed.] will take time, will not come easily, will not come quickly, but it will come,” convincingly stated His Beatitude Lubomyr.  

 We remind all readers that the documentary project “Lubomyr” is a combination of a classical documentary film and (a first in Ukraine) interactive film in the form of a web-documentary. Anyone, who feels the spiritual need to join the documentary commemoration of His Beatitude Lubomyr, can become a co-author or a co-producer of the film.  The project is being realized with the blessing of UGCC Head His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk).

 To watch the beginning episodes of the web-film and to assist the project with a donation can be done on www.lubomyr.net. The premier of the classic documentary film about His Beatitude Lubomyr is planned for August 24^th, the Day of Independence of Ukraine.

UGCC Department of Information