In word, but not in deed: how Greek Catholics fight for peace in Ukraine

To hear of peace initiatives is certainly nice. Harmonization of the Ukrainian society, reconciliation of various social groups in Ukraine – this is what the Ukrainian Orthodox Church headed by Metropolitan Onufriy constantly urges to.

However, I can’t shake off the feeling of some cognitive dissonance when the words of peace come from the Uniates and representatives of the UOC-KP. A lot of evidence suggests that it is the Greek Catholics and Kiev Patriarchate who are the main sources of destabilization of inter-faith and public relations in Ukraine.

Uniate Church leaders use any excuse to humiliate or debase the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Let us recall the statement of the head of the UGCC Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk and Bishop Lubomyr Husar concerning the All-Ukrainian religious procession organized by the UOC. The former called it "so-called", the latter saw in it "cynicism and hypocrisy" and took in inverted commas the word "Ukrainian" in the title of the UOC. In terms of church diplomacy this is a blatant act of aggression.

It is difficult to understand how it is possible to make such statements and at the same time talk about peace and reconciliation. Common sense tells us that it is nothing but hypocrisy, not to mention the statements of the speakers of the Kiev Patriarchate. This structure does its best to discredit the UOC.

The above mentioned event was attended by the chaplain of the Kiev Patriarchate Sergey Dmitriev. In his sentimental story of mutual aid of different religious communities in the east of Ukraine for some reason he called his religious organization "ukrainian Orthodox Church" (the word "Ukrainian" in the text of the news is written in low-case letter), instead of the Kiev Patriarchate. The story is good, but another interviews the chaplain on the site RICE dispels his aura of a peaceful man. It would seem that the title of the interview "The army is not a place for interfaith competition" suggests a tolerant attitude to all Ukrainian denominations. But in the course of the talk, the chaplain of the UOC-KP managed to "kick" the UOC several times showing that just a "competition" with it is the main goal of Filaret’s followers.

The other day, the priests and bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church helped release from hostage a Ukrainian soldier who had fought for the Donetsk airport. This was made possible, in particular, due to the fact that the UOC has not left the territories uncontrolled by Kiev and tries to reconcile all Ukrainians, regardless of their political views. And if the Kiev Patriarchate and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church were not engaged in discrediting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, their peacekeeping capabilities would increase significantly.

If the Greek Catholics really want peace to settle in Ukraine, including inter-faith, they should try to prove their intentions in practice. For example, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk could encourage his parishioners among politicians to stop persecuting the UOC. It's no secret that among the authors of the bill aimed against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church the majority is Uniates. If the head of the UGCC publicly or tête-à-tête condemned these attempts to destroy the most numerous denomination in Ukraine, the advent of peace would be much closer.

But, as the saying goes, "some die at war, and some make profits of it." The Kiev Patriarchate has repeatedly said that the war in a sense is beneficial to the country (read – Kiev Patriarchate), as it "unites", "consolidates" the Ukrainians, adds popularity to the UOC-KP, which has saddled a patriotism theme, etc. Apparently, the Greek Catholics also benefit from ongoing tension in the society and the conflict between the Kiev Patriarchate and the UOC. While schismatics are fighting with the Orthodox, Uniates use a disappointed part of the Orthodox and actively expand in the areas where historically they have never been.

Therefore, such "peacekeeping" activities hardly indicate a change in the rhetoric of the UGCC. Instead, their talk of peace only confirms their determination for the continuation of the conflict with the UOC. Words of peace are just part of the "public relations", which do not mean the implementation of a "beautiful picture" in life. To achieve peace, one must not talk, but act. Make at least a few practical steps towards the real church peace in Ukraine, but not boast of having an "ecumenical concept" and of the Catholic Church being progressive and tolerant. Not in word, but in deed!

The first thing to do as it has been said is to urge Uniate politicians to stop inciting inter-faith hatred. Secondly, it is necessary to implement the Havana Declaration, signed by Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis. "Uniatism" was condemned by the head of the Catholic Church, and thus, because of their obedience the Greek-Catholics should not go against the "Vicar of Christ on Earth." It seems that Sviatoslav Shevchuk is still thinking in terms of the Middle Ages, according to which the Orthodox "schismatics" must accept the union with the Catholic Church and become part of it.

This is why it has become easier for the Orthodox to have a conversation with "pure" Catholics than Uniates. Greek Catholics cannot psychologically accept the fact that the union was a dead-end branch of the Orthodox- Catholic Church relations. It triggers a psychological mechanism of displacement. Ukrainian Greek Catholics continue to consider "unia" (union) something exceptional and effective, though it has long been "the last century" issue. Only humility and subduing pride will help the Greek-Catholics to get on the path to national peace and reconciliation with the Orthodox.

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