HEAD OF U.G.K.Ts. REPORTS READINESS OF APOSTOLIC CAPITAL TO BE MEDIATOR OF TALKS BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA
His Beatitude Sviatoslav spoke about the potential mediation of the Holy See for the achievement of peace in Ukraine at the Kiev Forum of Security on 1 December. This was the conclusion drawn after the head of the UGKTs [Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church] met with the Holy Father Pope Francis. His Beatitude Sviatoslav said that the situation in Ukraine and the war were among the topics of the conversation with the pope.
"I have good news from the Vatican," the head of the UGKTs said. "Literally several weeks ago I had the possibility to converse personally with Pope Francis about Ukraine. He is very disturbed about the fate of Ukrainians in the occupation, those people who today, perhaps, have not been entirely heard out."
"The Holy Father was very interested in the topic of how the Ukrainian people are living and he worries really very deeply about this. We expect that in the next year his visit to Ukraine will yet take place. The visit itself has still not been announced, but we are already living in anticipation and readiness. And this is a very strong signal that the pope is thinking about how, when, and why he will visit us and this is a strong signal of support of our people and our state. I described for him how among many of our people from various churches and religions there is a common perception: when the pope comes to Ukraine, the war will end. I heard something similar from one elderly lady 20 years ago, when Pope John Paul II came to Ukraine. This woman had gone through several circles of communist hell and said to me: 'If the pope sets foot on Ukrainian land, communism will not return any more.' This is some kind of very profound conviction as it is said: 'Vox populi, vox Dei.' And what is happening today in Ukraine and with the Ukrainian people, our pains and fears, Pope Francis feels deeply and experiences personally."
His Beatitude Sviatoslav explained the nature of Vatican diplomacy, the basis of which is to be a mediator, a bridge for the agreement between the parties that are ready to come to agreement. However today, as also in the whole eight years of war, there is no such readiness of the part of Russia.
"We would wish that statements of the Holy See with regard to this aggression against Ukraine were more clearly sounded, but Vatican diplomacy is different from other secular diplomacies precisely in that it views its mission as a mission of mediation. And therefore, perhaps, it is not expressed harshly to anyone so that it would be possible to be a bridge of dialogue and mediation among everyone. The Holy See is reading for such mediation in our case. Perhaps you remember the surprising statement by Mr. President Zelensky about the mediation of the Vatican? After that the Holy Father said: 'Yes, we are ready. But for this there is one condition: both sides must agree to it.' And what do we have today? The Ukrainian side is ready in principle, and the Russian side is not. We heard something similar when Turkey declared that it could be a mediator and there also was a sharp refusal. Why? Because Russia continues to maintain that it is not a party to the conflict and therefore nobody is needed to be a mediator between Ukraine and Russia, but only a mediator between Ukraine and the so-called DNR-LNR [Donetsk People's Republic-Luhansk People's Republic]. That is, the diplomatic mechanism of this mediation is understood completely differently, and that means its final goal also. We sense an understanding of this situation on the part of the Apostolic Capital, and its support."
There has been this support of Ukraine on the part of Pope Francis throughout the years of military aggression, and particularly when the world ceased noticing this war. This entails also humanitarian aid and the overcoming of the information blockade in this matter.
"Many steps have been made in order to jointly overcome the consequences of this war, and to conduct humanitarian actions of aid to its victims," the head of the UGKTs emphasized. "We recall the action of 'The pope for Ukraine.' Perhaps it was not so significant from a material point of view, but it was a colossal mobilization of the attention of western Europe to the needs of Ukraine. . . . That is, one gesture by the pope broke the taboo on speaking about the war in Ukraine. Through our channels we provided all the information along with photographs which were posted in all Catholic parishes in Germany, France, and Italy. You can imag,ine how great was this support for our state. So when the Holy Father's visit to Ukraine is announced, the attention of the Ecumenical Church will be riveted on our state. Indeed, when this visit starts it will be mighty support and solidarity for our state and our people." (tr. by PDS, posted 2 December 2021)
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