Ukraine in Arabic | The head of DUMU met with the envoy of Pope
KYIV/Ukraine in Arabic/ On December 10th, Kiev Sofia Park hosted a meeting of the Special Representative of the Vatican and the PopeCardinal Christoph Shenborn with representatives of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and religious organizations (UCCRO)
The event was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the legalization of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. It was attended by all UCCRO members and except the representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) who at the first time even haven’t responded to the invitation.
“The UCCRO in Ukraine is the unique unifying body. We understood that when in different countries we have visited before, people were quite surprised about such a close collaboration between religious organizations. But today we are going through a difficult time of aggression from neighboring Russia. In order the Third World War not to be started, we want to resolve the issue peacefully. We can force the aggressor to go for a truce. We need to influence the situation by joint efforts to defend the world”, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Kiev Patriarchate Filaret said.
Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn conveyed congratulations and condolences to Ukrainian people on behalf of Pope Francis.
"I'm not a diplomat, but I'm a bishop.So I will speak freely, because you’re my brothers. The history of our Churches should not become a burden to the current believers. All of us have a history. People living today are not guilty for the past. Therefore, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church deserves the same respect as other churches. It is sad that the fault of past years becomes the causes of conflict in the modern world. Religions should stand next to the country's development, and their mission is to heal wounds. Deep devoutness of the Ukrainian people is a signal about such a development. And so I give a personal blessing to Ukraine from the Pope Francis”, he added.
The Primate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Patriarch Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) recalled that in September the Synod addressed personally to the Pope Francis to write the letter in response to the situation in Ukraine. And then he responded sending to Ukraine his own legate. “We want to thank the Holy Father who is so close to us. Near 5 million Ukrainians in Donbass are suffering now, 500 thousands were forced to flee their homes. We also expected a humanitarian disaster, when people are dying not only from the bullets, but also from cold and hunger. We are with the people and do not get to one side of politics, but move along with nation and penetrate its pain”, he said.
The head of the Religious Administration of Ukrainian Muslims (DUMU) the Mufti of Ukraine Sheikh Akhmed Tamim also expressed solidarity and support from the Muslims. According to him, the issue of conflict concerns not only Ukrainians. “The problem has gone beyond the troubles of our people; therefore, it requires response and support from the international community. It is dangerous when politicized religion is used in order to achieve dirty aims. I assure you that we want to get out of a difficult situation in a peaceful way”, he said.
Strengthening collaborative work for unity and reconciliation was also supported by representatives of the Ukrainian Bible Society in the name of Grigoriy Komendant, Jewish community in the name of Gennady Biloritskiy,Armenian Apostolic Church in Ukraine and the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.
Leaders of the Council also thanked the representatives of the Pope for the honor and hope for further cooperation with the Vatican throughout Europe. Cardinal Christoph Schenborn promised that such a work will be established. After that he met personally with the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko.
