Ukrainian Churches call on all people of goodwill to account for country's future

Representatives of the traditional Ukrainian churches, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Moscow Patriarchate, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate, and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, are concerned about the socio-political situation and urge all people of goodwill to join forces and take an active stance to resolve urgent social issues. On Thursday, December 1, the 20th anniversary of the referendum in which the Ukrainian people confirmed the independence of Ukraine, PatriarchFilaret of the UOC-KP, Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church His Beatitude Sviatoslav, and Bishop Hilarii ofMakariv, Vicar of the Kyiv Metropolitanate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, met with representatives of national elite of Ukraine. At the meeting, an appeal concerning the socio-political situation in Ukraine was published jointly by representatives of three Ukrainian churches. Participants of the meeting believe that “only in an open dialogue can we have clear thinking that will encourage everyone to take personalresponsibility for his neighbor, his community and his country.” The authors of the appeal call not to look for causes on the surface because “the main cause of troubles lies in ourselves, in a spiritual crisis thaterodes our society.” Therefore, in a joint appeal the three traditional Ukrainian churches “call on all people of goodwill, regardless of religion, nationality, or political affiliation, to reveal the spiritual potential, given by God to our people, and establish in the society principles of love, justice and mutual support.Uniting the society around these spiritual ideals, civil self-organization and mutual support is the best protection against political and economic crises.” “We especially direct our appeal to those with authority and respect to people, wisdom and life experience: let’s combine our efforts to serve the Ukrainian people! Together we can create an active and fruitful public stance on urgent social issues,” states the appeal. Following the meeting, participants decided to work on a dialogue that will able to provide updates of public relations, involve representatives of the national elite and a wide range of people of goodwill. “We can only truly overcome various crises by changing social and personal priorities,” say the participants of the meeting.  

UGCC Information Department