Mgr Sviatoslav Shevchuk, primate of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, is expected this Tuesday, November 5 in Lourdes for the Plenary Assembly of the bishops of France. Before that, he spoke to Aleteia about the situation in Ukraine and analyzed the essential role of the Church in a country still in the grip of war.
“Ukraine will win.” Mgr Sviatoslav Shevchuk, primate of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church visiting France, did not mince his words during a press conference organized by the Œuvre d'Orient and the Conference of Bishops of France (CEF) in Paris, October 29. Expected this Tuesday, November 5 in Lourdes for the Plenary Assembly of the Bishops of France, he will once again return to the major role played by the Greek-Catholic Church in this conflict which has pitted Russia against Ukraine since February 2022.
The Ukrainian prelate wanted to thank the Catholics of France for their solidarity with the Ukrainian population, and in particular Mgr Éric de Moulins-Beaufort, president of the CEF, who visited Ukraine in September 2022. He also hailed a “very important victory on a humanitarian level”, because “after almost 1,000 days of war, no one died of hunger or cold”. “Russia is destroying energy infrastructure. In Ukraine, winter is now used to kill the population with cold,” the bishop said. “Thank God, I can testify that Christian solidarity has saved lives, while indifference kills.” Denouncing “Russia’s instrumentalization of religion” for military purposes (“weaponization” in English), Archbishop Shevchuk regretted the “identity crisis” that he said the Moscow Patriarchate was going through. Conversely, the archbishop assured that he was “grateful to Pope Francis and the Vatican for their neutrality” at the time. With regard to the belligerents, diplomatic neutrality “and in no way moral”. “It is thanks to this neutrality that the Holy Father can maintain contacts with Russia and Ukraine, and maintain negotiating capabilities to save lives” .
“Ukraine is tired but not defeated, Ukraine is wounded but resilient,” said Mgr Shevchuk, who also describes a Greek-Catholic Church that is on its last legs. “In the occupied territories, there is no longer a single Greek-Catholic left and the Church is banned,” he lamented, echoing the statements of the Bishop of Donetsk. Despite everything, more than ever, “the Church has become particularly attractive (…) It is the body that cherishes people, takes care of them, heals wounds”, he confides to Aleteia. Interview.
Aleteia: How are your followers in Ukraine?
Sa Béatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk : We are experiencing a great misfortune, but which is also a moment of great conversion. What I say concerns both believers and those who seek God. In Ukraine, Christians constantly face the danger of death and must be ready, every day, to face the face of the Lord. We have also noticed to what extent confession has once again become essential. There is a great rediscovery of this sacrament, which has become one of the most important means of our pastoral work.
As for those who are not believers, the voice of the Catholic Church is also very important for them, because they ask themselves existential questions: why is all this happening to us? What is the meaning of this suffering? What meaning should I give to my life? Are we forgotten? Has God abandoned us? No one can give answers to these questions. The answer is only found in the word of God. Speaking this word has become vital. The Sunday sermon is listened to by millions of people! The Church has become particularly attractive. We are seeing a lot of conversions, our churches are full, not only in Ukraine, but also in the diaspora. The Church is the body that cherishes people, that takes care of them, that heals wounds.
Do Catholics feel abandoned, forgotten?
I think that the eye of a believing person necessarily sees the wounds of Christ in the body of our people. For us, the crucified Christ is not a cold statue hanging on the wall. These are the wounded Ukrainian women and children, these are the wounded soldiers. When I visit them and look at these wounds, I can't help but cry out: “Jesus, it's you!” We must not worship Christ only in our churches. Jesus is present in every suffering today in Ukraine. We do not feel abandoned by God, but only the believing person can see his presence. Therefore, the obligation of believers, including lay people, is to show others where the Lord is, in the midst of this war.
Do you believe that a peace agreement can be found? Do you think Ukraine has any chance of emerging victorious from this war?
Ukraine today is defended by millions of Ukrainians of various origins. I believe that a people with such strong motivation cannot be defeated. Ukraine will win. Russians are savages, including in Russian-speaking territories with populations who were not hostile to Russia and who now understand that occupation means death. Despite everything, I think that the ability to forgive can be stronger than hatred. He who is dominated by hatred sees his strength wither very quickly. Hate dries up and deprives the human heart of its vital blood. Forgiving our enemies is the secret to defeating them, and Christians know how to do that. The Thomist doctrine says it: hatred is a natural emotion as such. I cannot forbid my people from feeling hatred while witnessing murder. But through our will, we can and must transform this feeling of hatred into courage. The action of the Holy Spirit then transforms courage into hope. I firmly believe that beyond the military front, there is a spiritual front in Ukraine which is important, even decisive.
