UKRAINE’S FAITH COMMUNITIES APPEAL FOR PEACE IN ISRAEL
October 10, 2023
The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, of which the Ukrainian Catholic Church is a founding member, issued a strongly worded appeal for an immediate end to the brutal attacks in Israel. The UCCRO (ВРЦіРО), a council made up of representatives of various religious groups in Ukraine, including Muslim and Jewish members, spoke with a united voice in condemning the deadly violence that has been reported from Israel in the last days.
The Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, or his delegates, has been a member since the Council was first organized in 1996. They have issued various appeals over the years, not only for peace, but for the moral integrity of the nation and upholding the importance of universal religious values in society.
This is the appeal they issued on Sunday, 9th of October, 2023...
With great pain, the religious community of Ukraine, most of which is represented by Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, learned about the brutal and unprovoked attack by the militants of the terrorist movement Hamas on the state and people of Israel. This insidious terrorist attack was carried out by Hamas militants during the Jewish religious holidays, when millions of people were praying in synagogues or peacefully resting.
The terrible images being broadcast remind us of what Ukraine experienced and is currently experiencing during Russia's aggressive attack: civilians who tried to evacuate are killed; cars have been shot; there are massive rocket attacks on peaceful settlements; civilian infrastructure, and hospitals, private houses and apartments are burned; hostages, including women and children, have been captured-all norms of morality and international law are defiantly violated by the aggressor.
We stand in solidarity with the state and people of Israel in this terrible tragedy. We express our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. We sympathize with the families of the prisoners of the terrorists and wish the hostages a speedy return home, alive and well, as soon as possible.
We strongly condemn yet another display of inhumane, brutal violence carried out by the terrorist movement Hamas with the support of other terrorist organizations and the states that sponsor it. Attempts to stir up another military conflict play into the hands of those who in this world do not pay attention to humanity and humanism, nor to international law and diplomacy, do not appreciate the highest gift we have from the Creator-life.
We sincerely believe in the ability of both Israel and Ukraine, with God's help, to win a decisive victory over a ruthless and cynical enemy, protecting their freedom and independence, women and children, elderly people and men, cities and villages, for the sake of security and in the name of humanity.
Kyiv, 9 October 2023
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