Church in Canada assures Ukraine of prayers, solidarity

(Vatican Radio) The president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has assured the people of Ukraine of the prayers and solidarity of Canadian Catholics and their bishops in the face of the current crisis.

CCCB president Archbishop Paul-André Durocher made the statement in a letter, addressed to the Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

“We plead for the guarantee of all rights and liberties in Ukraine, particularly the right to life and dignity, freedom of conscience and religion, and liberty of expression and self-government,” reads the letter, dated 24 January.

The letter, which refers to the uprising as the “latest chapter of a long and painful struggle for freedom and democracy” for Ukraine, was also sent to Archbishop Lawrence Huculak, O.S.B.M., Metropolitan of Ukrainian Catholics in Canada.

“Over the past weeks, we have seen news stories and read reports of the efforts of the people of Ukraine to manifest their dignity and freedom, protect their human rights, and ensure just and peaceful relations with both West and East, while retaining their inherent responsibility to be the makers of their own destiny,” wrote Archbishop Durocher.

He also expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian Catholic priests and deacons “who at great personal risk accompany the demonstrators through prayer and pastoral care.”

“Canadian hearts are close to the people of Ukraine,” he assured, underlining that Ukrainian Catholics form the largest Eastern Catholic Church in Canada.

“Our two countries share much in common – the immigration of several hundred thousand Ukrainians to our nation over the years; the commingling of Ukrainian heritage and traditions – Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and Jewish – as part of our own national soul and identity.”

The archbishop said the crisis in Ukraine draws attention to the relevance of the Pope’s recent comments that diplomacy and dialogue are the way to “build communion amid disagreement”, and he echoed the plea of Church leaders in Ukraine for “both police and demonstrators there to remain peaceful and avoid bloodshed.”

Finally, he urged Canadian political leaders to continue pressing Ukrainian authorities “to find constructive and just solutions to the present crisis, and to ensure a democratic process that respects the rule of law and protects minorities and all citizens.”

Archbishop Durocher’s letter follows on the heels of a call for prayers for peace in Ukraine, issued by Archbishop Huculak on 22 January. The Metropolitan of Ukrainian Catholics in Canada also called for prayers for the Church.

“After many years of denied legal status and underground existence, our Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine is again being threatened by the ruling authority with loss of status for standing beside and praying with her people in the streets of Kyiv. Their well-being is our concern,” he wrote.

The third prayer request is for the unity of all people of Ukraine. “After centuries of subjugation by outside powers, in recent years the road to self-determination has been opened to Ukraine’s citizens,” wrote Archbishop Huculak. “Our prayers and support are needed to encourage them in this undertaking.”

Report by Laura Ieraci