Ukrainian Catholic leader pleads: ‘Stop the bloodshed’

Jan.22, 2014: Amid continued civil unrest in Ukraine, the head of the largest Eastern Catholic church has appealed for an end to violence, according to a Religious Information Service of Ukraine report. “With great dismay and sadness we witness the events taking place at the moment in Kiev,” said Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. “In view of these exceptional circumstances I would like to appeal to all the faithful of the Church, the Ukrainian people, and to all people of good will. In the name of God, stop the bloodshed. Violence was never the way to build a free and independent state and bloodshed will never reconcile hearts or bring a positive outcome, he said. The prelate appealed to the Ukrainian authorities to listen to their people, hear them and not use violence against them . Archbishop Shevchuck also appealed to the episcopate and clergy: especially at a time like this to watch over the souls entrusted to them. And he called on everyone to prayer for peace in Ukraine.
Source: CWN