In Lublin prayers and discussions were held on Ukrainian-Polish reconciliation

During that day the bishops participated in a discussion on the perspectives of Ukrainian-Polish reconciliation.  The debate was held immediately after the presentation of a documentary film of Grzegorz Linkowski "Forgive All Evil" as part of the Ukraine in the Center of Lublin Festival. In addition to bishops Venedykt and Mieczyslaw, participating in the discussion were also Rev. Stepan Batrukh, pastor of the  Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Mother and the ideological inspirer of the idea of the film, the film director Grzegorz Linkowski  as well as the historians – heroes of the film, Polish historian Mariush Zoyonchovsky and Ukrainian historian Roman Kabachiy.

Bishop Venedykt, in particular, stated “We are predetermined by our point of view.  The goal of our Christian life is something above nationalism.  The killed and the killers probably at least once said the “Our Father.”  But they probably said it unconsciously, because in invoking the name of the Father, we become brothers.  And suddenly in 1943 a Ukrainian brother raises his hand against the Polish brother.  Meetings and dialogue will enhance the possibility of accepting this memory and with love to extend to each other a hand of mutual understanding and reconciliation.  And today’s meeting is not a small brick; it is a giant stone in the construction of reconciliation between Ukrainian and Polish peoples.”

According to Bishop Mieczyslaw (Cislo), there are no alternatives to Ukrainian-Polish reconciliation.  However, it is necessary to be so free as to be able to sincerely say: “We forgive and ask for forgiveness!”   “We were enslaved externally, however free internally.  And this realm of dialogue was open to our Churches – the Roman-Catholic and the Catholic Church of the Eastern Rite.  However, in this process of reconciliation, prophets are necessary, who can unsettle our conscience, just as the film ‘Forgive all Evil’ unsettles us,” emphasized he.

“When the Volyn Tragedy anniversary was nearing, I understood that conflicts in national memory appear and will continue to appear.  When I found out from Rev. Stepan Batrukh  about the pilgrimage  whose goal was the meeting of  the memories held on by me with those held on by others, then I understood that this theme could be developed,” – in such a manner the director Grzegorz Linkowski characterized the genesis of the idea of making a movie.

"Forgive All Evil" is an attempt to answer the question: is Polish-Ukrainian reconciliation possible?  Two young historians, Mariush Zayonchovsky and Roman Kabachiy analyze the sensational events of the meetings and understanding between the Polish AKA (Armia Krajowa [Home Army]) and the Ukrainian UPA (Ukrainska Povstanska Armiya [Ukrainian Insurgent Army]) in May 1945.  The film demonstrates that memory does not have to be divisive.  And one more symbol of such a reconciliation was the pilgrimage to Volyn under the slogan “Evil is overcome by good” tied to the 70^th anniversary of the Volyn Tragedy.

UGCC Department of Information