Representatives of UGCC Commission on Pastoral Health Care urge all to pray for all fatalities of traffic accidents

In addition, as a sign of respect for all who perished, to offer one’s sympathy to anyone who has lost a famiy member or someone dear.  It is important to urge all to strictly observe trafic regulations and to remember to say a prayer prior to steering the wheel.  Also, we should embace with pastoral care all those who have become invalids due to a traffic accident  as well as their relatives and  friends.

They suggest reminding everyone of the importance of obeying traffic laws  and  to bless oneself before  beginning to steer the wheel. They urge to offer pastoral care to thoose who have become invalids since an accident as well as their family and relatives.

In the letter it is also noted that the Church considers it its responsibility to remind all faithful and those on the road of the  necessity to obey traffic laws, which were developed in order to safeguard one’s health and life.

In June 2007,  the Vatican published a document, entitled Principals of Pastoral Care on the Road (36 pages), which raises the issue of Christian behavior during driving.  The most interesting part of this docuemnt are the Ten Commandments for Drivers, wherein such issues as the absence of aggressive behavior on the road, respect for pedestrians, responsibility towards others, and adherence to traffic laws are discussed.

In his 2008 Epistle on Obeying Traffic Laws, His Beatitude Lubomyr stressed that breaking traffic rules is a sin.  Therefore, anyone who occupies a driver’s seat should use the automobile to benefit himself and others and assiduously avoid anything that may cause material damage, loss of health – or even – life.

UGCC Department of Information