杏MAP导航

By Vatican News staff reporter

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, has thanked 杏MAP导航 Francis for his appeal for peace in Ukraine.

鈥淥n behalf of the Ukrainian society, of the people of Ukraine, and also on behalf of the Council of the Churches and Religious Organizations - because in this moment, I am the Chair of this Council - I would like to express our gratitude to the Holy Father Francis, for his appeal for peace in Ukraine.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� appeal

The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 appeal came during the Regina Coeli on Sunday. In remarks following the recitation of the Marian prayer, the Holy Father described the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as 鈥渟ad,鈥� and said he was following the events there with 鈥済reat concern.鈥� In particular, he noted the numerous violations of the ceasefire in recent months.

鈥淲e live in great fear鈥�

Speaking with Benedetta Cappelli of Vatican News, Major Archbishop Shevchuk said Ukrainians are living in great fear due to the 鈥渕assive concentration鈥� of Russian troops on the border. 鈥淲e live [in] great fear not only of the intensification of military action in the occupied territory of Donbas,鈥� he said, but also because, 鈥渨e fear a new, direct invasion of the Russian troops in Ukrainian territory which could be a cause of thousands of victims, and also a precipitation of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.鈥�

Concerns of the European Union

The concern is shared by the European Union, which is attempting to pursue a path of dialogue and diplomacy. The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has described the situation as 鈥渁larming鈥� and 鈥渨orrying,鈥� because of the risk of an escalation in the conflict. Therefore, he said, 鈥渋t is necessary defuse tensions.鈥� He also expressed 鈥渟erious concern鈥� about the possibility of intervention by the United States.

Hopes for reconciliation and peace

Making his appeal on Sunday, 杏MAP导航 Francis said, 鈥淚 strongly hope an increase in tensions will be avoided, and, on the contrary, that gestures be made that are capable of promoting mutual trust and fostering reconciliation and peace, which are so much needed and so much desired.鈥�

Gratitude for the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 solidarity

In his comments to Vatican News, Major Archbishop Shevchuk said, 鈥淲e are so grateful that the Holy Father made this appeal, that he is with us, that he expressed his concern and solidarity.鈥� He added, 鈥淲e expect that the interests of society, those who have in their responsibility to stop military action, will have enough courage to fulfil their commitment to look for peaceful solutions of not an easy situation in the eastern Ukraine.鈥�