The Church near the people ” “

“In Ukraine the Church is with her people”, “her deepest soul”, which as such takes part and shares in the most important and decisive times in her history. The Church takes action as a “praying force of the Sprit”, as a presence for mediation, reiterating Pope Francis’ words: “Dialogue, dialogue, dialogue”. His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, major archbishop of Kiev, head of the Greek-Catholic Ukrainian Church, thus explained the decision to be on the protesters’ side. In the same days when the rally in Maidan square in Kiev burst into clashes and violence and for the first time independent Ukraine witnessed bloodshed, the permanent Synod of Ukraine’s Greek-Catholic Church convened in Ukraine. At a certain point the bishops joined the protestors, celebrated a Mass in the public square and read an appeal conveying solidarity and support. Churches in Kiev are open 24 hrs running. Utmost solidarity is shown with offers of shelter and warm meals at a time of the year when temperatures drop even as low as -9 degrees. Street clashes again: what’s happening? “I want to point out that we are experiencing a European demonstration. The EU-Ukraine summit had been scheduled for 29 November. With a view to that event, society as a whole – including the political, social, economic as well as its religious realms – were discussing the project, considering it to be the future development of the nation. Then, unexpectedly, on November 21 our government announced the intention to halt the process. This meant that society was proceeding in a certain direction until the government suddenly made a u-turn. This decision sparked off the protests, youths and students took the streets and gave life to a totally unplanned demonstration, that is not maneuvered by political parties nor by organizations of civil society or by the Churches. They expressed the yearning to live in a modern Country. The government decision to halt the process towards Europe clearly signals a rapprochement towards Russia, towards a renovated Soviet Union model”. To this regard, what do you think about the fact that Lenin’s statue was torn to the ground?”First of all, it should be said that Lenin’s statue was anachronistic. Some wonder whether it was the right moment to tear it down. It was done by a group of radical protesters as a provocation. But I want to underline that for the young generation the fall of Lenin’s statue symbolizes the collapse of Soviet Union ideals”. And how do you judge the use of violence against the rioters? “It’s disproportionate, and for the first time, blood has been shed in independent Ukraine. The people say ‘no’ to violence. They’re saying: ‘Ours is a peaceful protest’, and the whole world saw that they fought back the authorities with their bare hands. Also the U.S. Ambassador described it as ‘Ghandi patience’, people who oppose all forms of violence are protesting with the force of the Spirit”. Also many priests took the streets. What does their presence symbolize? “It’s a sign that the Church is an indispensable presence for civil society in Ukraine. Without the priests, an integrating part of civil society would be missing. The presence of our priests is not a political presence: it’s a praying presence that is saying that the Church is with her people, that the Church is the soul of the Ukrainian people in its historical moments”. What will be the developments and what is your hope? “It’s a moment of darkness. The Churches in Ukraine – Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant, as well as Muslim and Jewish communities – have launched a joint appeal. First of all, they reject all forms of violence and ask the government to refrain from violence and engage in dialogue: the only alternative to violence. We recalled Pope’s Francis’ words to Brazilian political leaders: ‘dialogue, dialogue, dialogue.’ We want to continue being the promoters of dialogue. And we ask for the opening of talks at national level so that all the forces in the Country may jointly decide on the future of Ukraine: a negotiating table that may become a negotiating realm where all the players can take joint decisions. And the Churches will continue their prayers, for we believe that the Lord has in His hands the destiny of all peoples, including that of this Country”.