The Permanent Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church has denounced religious persecution in the territories occupied by Russia and has asked that “faith or freedom are not negotiated” in a possible peace agreement.
“The Church makes an urgent call that, in any peace agreement, neither the faith nor the freedom of Ukraine is negotiated,” said the Ukrainian Greco-Catholic prelates.
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In his message posted on Monday, after three years of the Russian invasion in Ukrainian territory, they regretted that, in the occupied areas, numerous faithful and clergy of various confessions have been arrested and that religious freedom is being eradicated.
“We are called to be the voice of the persecuted, to ensure that, in no peace agreement, even if it is only in name, our faith, dignity or freedom becomes currency,” they said.
They also warned that an “unfair truce” would be a “criminal mockery that will only lead to greater injustice and suffering.”
“We proclaim the world: Ukrainians believe in the triumph of the truth of God. Even in pain and ruin, we remain a town of hope, ”they emphasized in the framework of the third anniversary of Russia’s large -scale invasion against Ukraine.
The bishops also reflected on the devastating effects of war and expressed their gratitude to people and organizations around the world who have supported the Ukrainian people.
In addition, they presented the magnitude of the destruction caused by war: more than 3,500 school buildings, 1,200 hospitals and 670 churches have been destroyed. They also pointed out that human wounds continue to increase, with tens of thousands of wounded soldiers and civilians and millions of displaced people.
In spite of everything, the Greco-Catholic Church stressed that Ukraine is not a “people defined by war, but by sacrifice.”
“The Ukrainians have remained firm in their struggle for freedom and dignity, receiving the support of solidarity people around the world, including Catholics, leaders and charitable organizations,” they said.
“Despite losses, the Ukrainian people continue to believe in the resurrection and restoration of their nation,” they concluded.
Victoria Cardiel
Victoria Cardiel is a journalist specialized in social and religious information issues. Since 2013, he has covered all the news of the Vatican for various media, such as the Spanish news agency Europa Press, or the weekly of the Archdiocese of Madrid, Alfa and Omega.