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UOC-KP Orthodox Head Calls for Reconciliation

21.10.2005, [22:08] // UOC-KP //

Kyiv – “Ukrainians, all citizens of Ukraine, should be looking for a way to mutual understanding and reconciliation,” said Patriarch Filaret (Denysenko), head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP), The patriarch had been asked by the press service of the UOC-KP about his attitude to the rehabilitation of soldiers of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UIA), who fought the Soviets in the 1940s. “If we have managed to find understanding with the Germans, who once led a war against us, bringing suffering and hostility, why can’t the citizens of one country reconcile?” asked the patriarch. uaorthodox.org posted the news on 17 October 2005.

According to Patriarch Filaret, “Pro-Russian chauvinist powers are interested in spreading discord in Ukraine as well as inciting hatred and hostility… They are inciting hostility between the east and west of Ukraine, between the Orthodox faithful of the Kyivan and Moscow patriarchates, between the Russian-speaking and Ukrainian-speaking populations. These powers are trying to incite hatred in those who fought for Ukraine’s independence. The Ukrainian government should pay attention to their anti-Ukrainian activity because it violates the Ukrainian Constitution.”

He also emphasized that reconciliation in Ukraine concerning this issue will be possible only when the true story of the UIA becomes widely-known. Otherwise, he said, pro-Russian chauvinists will continue to stir up this problem.

“We condemn fascism and inciting of hostility between nations. We believe that fascist crimes against humanity cannot be justified. But we should not confuse the fighters for Ukraine’s independence and the fascists. Those who committed crimes against humanity should be punished, and those who fought for Ukraine’s independence under terrible conditions deserve our respect and honor,” said Patriarch Filaret.

Source:

• http://www.uaorthodox.org./news.php?pid=626