Paul KeenanThe leader of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine has rejected allegations from the Russian Orthodox Church that his congregation is sowing disunion in the country.
In an interview conducted after criticisms levelled by Moscow’s Metropolitan Hilarion, reported in The Irish Catholic last week, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk insisted that his Church was not taking sides in the crisis.
“We have significant, fraternal relations with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” Archbishop Shevchuk acknowledged. “We were united in Ukraine during a very dangerous period in a way that had never really occurred before. Concerning pastoral care for our respective faithful on the Maidan (Independence Square), we were organised in our own way. However, concerning our moral judgements of the civil movement or opposition to the abuses of the [deposed] Yanukovych government, we always stood together. So I think there is no reason to fear some ‘crusade’ against the Orthodox.”
Pointing out that in addition to the Greek Catholic Church, leaders of Protestant, Jewish and Muslim faiths had also been present for their people, he added: “We as a Church, as the Churches, we did not call the people to protest…yet we followed our people because we recognised that those people were standing at the Maidan for their values, which we were promoting. If people take a stand for human dignity, rule of law, rejection of violence and corruption – we as a Church have a duty to recognise the moral power of such claims.”
On Metropolitan Hilarion’s assessment of increased division now between Moscow and the Catholic Church, Archbishop Shevchuk expressed the hope that direct dialogue could still be achieved.
“I am praying that one day we can sit at the same table, look one another in the eye, and recognise that we are members of the same body of Christ…that will be the common basis to start to discuss our disagreements and problems.”
Meanwhile, it has emerged that Metropolitan Hilarion was refused entry to Ukraine on May 9 as he arrived at Dnepropetrovsk. He was turned back at passport control and forced to return to Russia. No explanation for his refusal was offered by Kiev.