With bated breath

The populations living in Countries bordering with Russia follow with grave concern and worry the unfolding of events in Ukraine (especially in the Eastern part) and in Crimea. Worry and fear and the most relevant feelings of the population, witnessed by the Churches in those areas. Moldova with Transnistria, Georgia, went through an armed conflict in 2008, while Lithuania and the Baltic States are cornered to the West by the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad that borders on the Baltic Countries to the east of Russia. Georgia: the stronger wins? Georgia – said Msgr. Giuseppe Pasotto, apostolic Administrator of the Caucasus for the Latins in Tiblisi -went through a war 6 year ago, in 2008, and that’s why it’s normal that “people live the process of occupation with a certain degree of fear. It’s not a reality yet, but the population experiences it as a danger. We look at the future with concern”. The area is extremely delicate from the geopolitical angle with the two autonomous Republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. In these days the developments in Ukraine always hit front news, signalling the attention with which the population is following the ongoing events. “The evolution of the crisis in Crimea – said Pasotto – has been experienced by our population. An example of this is the approach typical of Putin to regain the major interests gravitating on all eastern regions”. “It seems impossible – added the bishop – that after all that we have experienced in the past, it is deemed possible to proceed without dialogue, that action is taken with the force of arms, trampling upon international laws and treaties. We need to grow in humanity and respect for the freedom of all people to build their own future. The situation that is perceived here is that the strongest always wins over the weak. The diplomatic channel is always activated at a second stage, and too late. And when it takes action, it’s because it has been prompted by the economic interests of individual states which take precedence over the general interest of the people”.Lithuania, the memory of the deportation. “We’re on the second front. The local population is deeply worried”, said the archbishop of the Lithuanian capital Msgr. Ginteras Grusas, speaking from Vilnius. We share a deep bond with Ukraine, marked by a long common history of suffering and deportation experienced less than 100 years ago under the Soviet regime. Also here in Lithuania in a few days’ time as many as 4 million people were deported, a sad destiny that today these people share with Crimea. “Some survivors of those deportations are still living today. And Russia, owing to the steps it is taking, is seen as a reason for concern by everyone”, the archbishop said. Through television and the Internet, Russian programs are carrying out an “information war – with media distortion of reality as in Soviet times. In fact, it was a notorious practices under the Soviet rule”. Certain manoeuvres raise concern. In fact, at the Nato base in the Lithuanian territory not far from Vilnius, there are six more Air Patrols, evidence of a strengthening of military aviation for greater control of the airspace over the Baltic countries. Moreover, Lithuania is a key area. In the western part of the country, in the region of Kaliningrad, there’s a Russian base that merges on the Baltic Sea. “Prayer – said the archbishop – is a powerful tool for peace. But we also need for Europe to take a firm stand that is motivated not by the economic interests of individual countries but for the sake of peace and peoples”. Moldova: “Near the people”. Also the autonomous region of Transnistria and the Republic of Moldova are marked by an ongoing situation of uncertainty following the events in Crimea and for the decisions that are being taken at international level, marked by series of statements, resolutions and forecasts on possible scenarios. “The Catholic Church of Moldavia, which includes the territory of Transnistria, follows the unfolding of events with apprehension in the awareness that support will be given to the faithful whatever happens” said Msgr. Cesare Lodeserto, Episcopal bishop of the diocese of Chisinau -. In fact, despite the difficult times, that involves the international political arena, in order to prevent all forms of degeneration we serenely carry out our pastoral activity, preparations for Easter and every action of charity that brings us near the many poor in the country”. Lodeserto added: “Our sole commitment, that we feel responsible for, is to spread hope and to be near the Moldovan people. Our constant invitation is to pray for peace, the respect of human rights and the freedom of the peoples”.