“Stop Russia before it’s too late”

A desperate appeal to world governments to stop Putin’s Russia “before it’s too late”. It’s the message of the bishop of Odessa-Simferopol, Monsignor Bronislav Biernacki, to SIR Europe, voicing the serious situation in Crimea and Ukraine, a few days ahead of the referendum of March 16 in which citizens will vote on the secession of Crimea from the Ukraine. It’s unusual for the Catholic Church to speak about the political situation of a Country, but as I am a Ukrainian citizen, bishop of the diocese that includes Crimea, I cannot remain silent about Russia’s invasion of our country. Crimea was a place where people from different countries had grown used to living together in harmony and peace. Now it has become a place marked by national hatred and conflict. 2014 had begun under the banner of a great hope: hope that the situation in the Ukraine could change. Evidently, Mr. Putin transformed the reason of our hope and joy into a reason for acrimony. The people of the Ukraine clearly showed the entire world their determination to build a new, just society. But for various reasons Putin’s Russia would not allow this to happen. So as soon as the Olympic games ended, a new era in our history started to unfold. At the same time, large numbers of Russian citizens crossed the Russian-Ukrainian border with the intention of destabilizing the situation in Crimea and in other parts of the Ukraine. Ever more often we hear people say that Crimea will be separated from the Ukraine to join the Russian Federation. A “referendum” on the subject will take place in a few days, but it is expected that 80% of voters already support this scenario. The secession of Crimea is just the beginning; the oriental and southern provinces of the Ukraine – or perhaps the entire Country – will be next. It’s in line with Putin’s policy, which we’re all familiar with. He already put it into practice in 1992 with the war in Transnistria (Pridniestrovie), and in 2008 with the war against Georgia. And this strategy still works! The Russian army invaded Crimea. The European Union and the United States said they were “deeply concerned”, and “warned” Putin. The world talks, it criticizes Russia but it did exactly what Putin expected: nothing. This lack of reaction is a dangerous reminder of the years 1933-1939, when a similar lack of reaction led to the Second World War. Before the recent developments I see no hopes to stop Putin’s Russia, and to me and many of my fellow-countrymen it appears clear that while international powers are not helping the Ukraine, God is our only hope. Once again I call upon all the faithful in my diocese to pray. I also call upon all the people of good will in the world to join our prayers. Let us pray together that the war on the verge of breaking out may be stopped by the mercy of God. Let us come together in prayer and ask the Lord to be our peace. As bishop of the diocese of Odessa-Simferopol I call upon the governments of world Countries to do their utmost to stop Putin’s Russia before it’s too late, for the good of the rest of the world.