Thank you for stepping up efforts for demilitarization of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, - from the Head of the UGCC on the 170th day of the war

“I thank the representative of the Apostolic Capital at the UN for unequivocally condemning the Russian militarization of a peaceful atom in Ukraine and carrying out threat to the whole of Europe and the world,” said the Primate and added: “Let the voice of the Catholic Church be the voice of truth in such a difficult modern world, which looks like a raging sea.”

In his address, the Head of the Church spoke about the situation at the front: “During the last day, the enemy tried to break through the defenses of the Ukrainian army, particularly in Donbas, but suffered a devastating defeat. He mercilessly bombarded Sumy Oblast — a lot of Ukrainian bread burned in the fields. However, the most desperate trouble is now revolving around the Zaporizhzhia NPP. The whole world was shocked by the words of the Russian general that “that land, Zaporizhzhia, will either be Russian or turn into a radioactive desert”… What also appalled everyone is that russian federation demilitarized that nuclear plant and refused to withdraw their troops from that zone. And yesterday, in one day, the nuclear power plant was shelled four times! Cities and villages of the Dnipropetrovsk region are burning. There are many killed and wounded.”

On this day, His Beatitude Sviatoslav continued his reflections on a just and free Ukrainian state and considered the third principle of successful state building — the principle of solidarity. The Head of the UGCC noted that during communist times, the idea of ​​“Soviet collectivism” discredited this principle because when it came to “solidarity of workers” it meant mutual theft, solidarity, or unity in poverty. However, the principle of Christian solidarity, the Primate stressed, is quite the opposite: “It is the principle of mutual enrichment, support, and help. It is a means of sharing what I have with those in need. What is more, it is the principle of mutual responsibility for the good of one's neighbor. Without the ability to love and care for each other, we will not be able to create a family, a community, a society, or a state.”

According to the Head of the Church, today, we experience the principle of solidarity as a life-giving way of helping each other in war conditions. Ukrainian communities worldwide stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and try to help with everything they can when we open our homes to needy, displaced people. “This Christian solidarity makes society humane and just, where no one feels abandoned or rejected, regardless of whether they are rich or poor, active in their doings, or are they already infirm and in need of care and assistance from society. Let this principle become the key to the unity and victory of Ukrainians in this unjust war,” the Primate reckons.

In today's address, His Beatitude Sviatoslav addressed internally displaced mothers with children: “Dear mothers, today the Church wants to open our hearts, parishes, and all our possibilities to you to accept, support, and help you survive this difficult moment in life. Now more than ever, we need to be able to care for those in need. I am addressing you, mothers, with a special request: take care of the Christian and patriotic upbringing of your children! Learn the Ukrainian language, and teach your children the true history of Ukraine — the history of suffering and struggle of our people. Take care of the Christian upbringing of your children. After all, if you do not give them explicit moral guidelines in life, otherwise all the material things that you acquire for them, they will quickly waste.”

“Today we embrace you with attention and love and ask you to be active citizens of Ukraine and responsible for the future of your children and our Motherland. Look for work! Get involved in the vibrant life of local communities, and be sure that we will all help you in this. Because decent work, following your talents, profession, is one of the ways of showing your Motherland's respect for you, your skills, dignity, and gift of motherhood. Together with you, we pray for your husbands, who today may be far away, but so need our memory, attention, prayers, support,” said the Head of the UGCC.

“O God, bless Ukraine! God, bless the children and millions of Ukrainians who were forced to flee their homes during these months. Bless our people in Donetsk because now there is a mandatory evacuation. God, bless the Ukrainian army and grant Ukraine Your just God's peace!” added His Beatitude Sviatoslav.

The UGCC Department for Information