I copy this statement from Rorate Caeli:
Statement of the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on the discussion around some of the statements of Pope Francis at a meeting with Catholic youth in Russia
It was with great pain and concern that we learned of the words attributed to His Holiness Pope Francis at an online meeting with Russian Catholic youth on August 25, 2023 in St. Petersburg.
We hope that these words of the Holy Father were spoken spontaneously, without any attempt at historical assessments, let alone support for Russia's imperialist ambitions. However, we share the great pain they have caused not only among the bishops, clergy, monastics, and faithful of our Church, but also of other denominations and religious organizations. At the same time, we realize the deep disappointment in society that they have caused.
The words about "the great Russia of Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, that empire - great, enlightened, a country of great culture and great humanity," are the worst example of imperialism and extreme Russian nationalism.
There is a danger that these words may be perceived as support for the nationalism and imperialism that has caused the war in Ukraine today - a war that brings death and destruction to our people every day.
The examples cited by the Holy Father actually contradict his teaching on peace, for he has always condemned every form of imperialism in the modern world and warned of the dangers of extreme nationalism, emphasizing that it is the cause of "the third world war in parts."
As a church, we want to state that in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, such statements inspire the neocolonial ambitions of the aggressor country, although we should categorically condemn this way of "being Russian."
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, together with all citizens of our country, condemns the ideology of the "Russian world" and the entire criminal way of "being Russian." We hope the Holy Father will hear our voice.
In a few days, the bishops of our Church will gather in Rome for the annual Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. We will have the opportunity to meet His Holiness and personally convey to him the doubts and pain of the Ukrainian people, trusting in his fatherly care for them.
+SVIATOSLAV
[His Beatitude Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk]
13 comments:
The pope "of surprises" surprises us yet again (or, maybe not), with ignorance.
Mostly, people do not understand the Slavic peoples, their history and varied culture.
The pope would do well to focus on the West and getting his house there in order.
MT, I'll ask you kindly to avoid contributing a quotable defense of PF unless you are crystal clear on the aforementioned history.
I am glad to see a pope who truly understands ecumenism and puts it into practice.
For those who don't know, ecumenism means cozying up to emerging world powers and firming up diplomatic relations and financial.contributioms while ignoring and/or hectoring those seen as in likely decline.
He is betting on China vs India, and that the only reason we have yet to see Hindu worship at Saint Peter's, and why his plans for erection a minaret with 500W sound system are on the back burner until Muslims show some better signs of taking firmer control of Europe.
I should not be surprised should Pope Francis apologize to those who had reacted with sadness to his comments in question. His humility is such that he would apologize to those who had misinterpreted his remarks.
Anyway...
May Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as Vladimir Putin, unite with Pope Francis' holy peacemaking efforts to end the war that has delighted Satan.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
I appreciate the approach to the issue at hand that Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) has adopted.
Major Archbishop Sviatoslav has not joined rush-to-judgement folks who have denounced and defamed our Holy Father. Major Archbishop Sviatoslav received initially "with great pain" Pope Francis' remarks in question.
But rather than to rush to judgement against His Holiness, Archbishop Sviatoslav declared:
"We assume that His Holiness's words were spoken spontaneously, without the pretension of giving a historical assessment, let alone the intention of supporting Russia's imperialist ambitions."
"In order to avoid any manipulation of the intentions, context and statements attributed to the Holy Father, we await an explanation of this situation from the Holy See."
The above is the Catholic Way.
CCC #2478: "To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way: Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it."
=============================================
-- From the Holy See Press Office:
"In the words of greeting addressed to several young Russian Catholics a few days ago, as is clear from the context in which he pronounced them, the Pope intended to encourage young people to preserve and promote what is positive in Russia's great cultural and spiritual heritage, and certainly not to exalt imperialistic logics and governmental personalities, cited to indicate certain historical periods of reference."
===========================================
-- Press Release from the Apostolic Nunciature in Ukraine:
"The Apostolic Nunciature in Ukraine has observed that in the aftermath of Pope Francis’ telematic interaction with young Catholics from the Russian Federation on 25 August 2023, there have been discussions in Ukrainian and international media regarding certain remarks made by the Roman Pontiff during that event."
"In particular, according to some interpretations, Pope Francis might have encouraged young Russian Catholics to draw inspiration from historical Russian figures known for imperialistic and expansionist ideas and actions that negatively impacted neighboring populations, including the Ukrainian people."
"This Pontifical Representation firmly rejects the aforementioned interpretations, as Pope Francis has never endorsed imperialistic notions. On the contrary, he is a staunch opponent and critic of any form of imperialism or colonialism across all peoples and situations. The words of the Roman Pontiff spoken on August 25 are to be understood in this same context."
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Humility? LOL? You would probably have said the same about Hitler if you lived in 1930s Germany I’ll have whatever you’re smoking. Like a typical leftist, MT’s mission seems to be to gut Father McDonald’s Blog
MT,
That's Press Office spin. Don't believe everything you read.
Ukraine has been oppressed by the imperialists for centuries. Ukraine literally means "Borderland". Russia views this territory as "The Borderland", meaning their own. While Ukrainians and Russians are peoples of the Rus, Russification of territories has been the historical order of the day.
PF spoke out of turn. Rather than spin, he should have just apologized. HB Sviatoslav is both a prelate, and he is civilized. I would expect nothing less than a gentlemanly response from him.
ByzRus said..."Don't believe everything you read."
Agreed. That is why I do not believe the garbage that our Holy Father's supports imperialism/colonialism.
============================================
ByzRus sdaid..."HB Sviatoslav is both a prelate, and he is civilized. I would expect nothing less than a gentlemanly response from him."
Agreed. That is why to his great credit he followed, as should you, Church teaching when he said:
"In order to avoid any manipulation of the intentions, context and statements attributed to the Holy Father, we await an explanation of this situation from the Holy See."
Pax.
Mark Thomas
CCC #2478: "To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way: Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it."
ByzRus said..."MT, That's Press Office spin."
The garbage reported about Pope Francis' supposed promotion of imperialism/colonialism is News Media spin.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
MT,
To what "garbage" are you referring"? It's on video.
It's a very poor choice of words during a time of conflagration, imperialistic actions on the part of Russia and given the large numbers of his flock that are suffering as a result.
"May Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as Vladimir Putin, unite with Pope Francis' holy peacemaking efforts to end the war that has delighted Satan"
This is a nice sentiment, however, Volodymyr Zelenskyy hasn't been trying to delight satan. He's trying to stop an oppressor from destroying his country and killing his people for no reason. Know your history. PF is going to do nothing to broker peace here. The Orthodox Churches are scared to not tow the party line (one Orthodox prelate who spoke out against this conflict is now in Hungary), the West is afraid of being brought into a conflict that could turn global and the only one that is arguably acting as a pawn for Satan is the one no one can get close enough to to end this conflict.
"Agreed. That is why to his great credit he followed, as should you, Church teaching when he said:"
"In order to avoid any manipulation of the intentions, context and statements attributed to the Holy Father, we await an explanation of this situation from the Holy See."
I haven't not followed Church teaching. PF just said much more than would have ever been appropriate given the circumstances. In other words, PF isn't helping here and nothing that he might do is going to untangle this mess. The only thing that might help is a new leader in Russia. How that occurs, and on what timetable, is anyone's guess.
ByzRus said..."To what "garbage" are you referring"? It's on video."
Yes, it is on video. That is fine. The problem...the "garbage"...concerns the spin upon Pope Francis' comments in question. As the Apostolic Nunciature in Ukraine noted:
"In particular, according to some interpretations, Pope Francis might have encouraged young Russian Catholics to draw inspiration from historical Russian figures known for imperialistic and expansionist ideas and actions that negatively impacted neighboring populations, including the Ukrainian people."
The above is the "garbage." Again, as the Apostolic Nunciature had made clear, His Holiness' comments had been interpreted by some to demonstrate that he had thrown in with pro-imperialistic propaganda.
Example:
-- CNN headline: Ukraine blasts Pope Francis’ address to Russian youth as ‘imperialist propaganda’
The Apostolic Nunciature in Ukraine continued:
"This Pontifical Representation firmly rejects the aforementioned interpretations, as Pope Francis has never endorsed imperialistic notions. On the contrary, he is a staunch opponent and critic of any form of imperialism or colonialism across all peoples and situations. The words of the Roman Pontiff spoken on August 25 are to be understood in this same context."
Pope Francis' words had been twisted — as has been the case countless times since 2013 A.D.
Fortunately, His Beatitude Sviatoslav declared: "In order to avoid any manipulation of the intentions, context and statements attributed to the Holy Father, we await an explanation of this situation from the Holy See."
Unfortunately, some folks preferred to rush to judgement against the Vicar of Christ
Pax.
Mark Thomas
ByzRus said..."PF is going to do nothing to broker peace here."
His Holiness, to his credit, will continue his holy, gallant, pursuit of peace between Ukraine and Russia.
Anyway...
August 6, 2013 A.D.
-- Zelensky discusses Pope Francis’ peace efforts in Ukraine in new interview.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "expressed his gratitude for the support of Pope Francis in an interview with a group of Latin American journalists in Kyiv.
"He is helping us! Pope Francis supports us."
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Sorry, that should read: August 6, 2023 A.D.
Thank you.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
MT,
I don't disagree with you, all the "right" things have been said to mitigate comments of a questionable character and timing. Comments of a Nuncio, or governmental office, perhaps chacterized as posturing and rhetoric, differ greatly from potential actions.
That said, neither you nor PF are Slavic. Therein lies the difference. PF is likely to have little influence over governments and Churches in a region whose current predicament didn't evolve overnight.
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