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Ukrainian Catholic bishops have asked for prayers for peace, but have also defended their nation’s right to self determination.
Bishop Bronislaw Bernacki of Odessa-Simferopol, whose diocese includes Crimea, said Catholics believed “every nation has a right to decide about its own future”.
He asked Christians worldwide to “fast and pray for peace”.
“The Catholic Church is deeply concerned about the evolving situation in our country, which is now one step from an open war that may involve a larger area,” the bishop said.
“Policy changes must take place without external interference,” he said.
“Seeing how this fundamental rule of international conduct has now been betrayed, we urge all nations of the world to work together with Ukraine to bring peace and understanding.”
In late February, pro-Russian gunmen seized key buildings in Simferopol in Crimea and blockaded nearby Ukrainian bases.
On March 1 Russia’s parliament approved the use of military force in Ukraine.
Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said the world community is on the side of Ukraine, as Russia is the aggressor.
“Every citizen of Ukraine must be prepared to defend his or her independent and sovereign state,” he said.
But he also said the Church will “continue to use every opportunity to relieve tension in society and avoid casualties”.
He added that the “deep and sincere wish” of Ukrainians was for “fraternal and friendly relations with Russia”.
The patriarch said he counted on foreign churches not to “be indifferent”.
Sources
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