photo: dyvensvit.org
It is untimely to talk about a step towards peace until the offender is exposed and his crime is condemned.
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Now, when the active phase of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine is underway, it is impossible to talk about any reconciliation. The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), His Beatitude Sviatoslav (Shevchuk), believes that in the future, the conditions and stages of possible reconciliation should include the mandatory recognition of crimes and the conviction of criminals. This was written by the Information resource of UGCC.
«Today, during the active phase of this unjust war – in particular, when we are all waiting for another attack by Russian troops on Ukraine, this type of thing is in principle impossible. Because in order to be reconciled, one must be alive, one must, for a start, survive. And when there is an active phase of such a deadly war, it is completely out of time, very untimely to talk about it. First, they must stop killing us – only then can we talk about the next step. And the next step, obviously, should be to convict the criminal and establish justice,» – the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholics said.
He notes that all crimes against humanity in Ukraine, which today are classified as genocide, must be condemned by an international tribunal. It is untimely to talk about the next step until the offender is exposed and his crime is convicted.
«And only when the Russian aggressor is convicted, can the next step be the beginning of a process of reconciliation. And it will be a long process. Because the process of reconciliation means healing wounds. And without sensitivity to the victim of this unjust aggression, we have no right, from the Christian side, to speak of reconciliation,» – His Beatitude Sviatoslav said.
Read also: Would Ukrainian and Russian lead the way of cross in Rome together? Diplomacy reaction
We will remind that today, April 15, the Way of the Cross is taking place in the Italian Colosseum, headed by Pope Francis. A Ukrainian and a Russian woman working in the hospice are to hold the cross during the procession. The head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, conveyed to the Vatican the numerous negative reactions of many bishops, priests, monks, nuns and laity, who are convinced that gestures of reconciliation will be possible only when the war is over and those guilty of crimes against humanity are justly convicted.
The Vatican did not respond to the protests. At the same time, a close associate of the Pope, the Jesuit Antonio Spadaro, explained that Francis was not a politician.
Translated by Vitalii Holich
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