ROME. Despite Russia’s alleged justification for its invasion of Ukraine, Archbishop Svyatoslav Shevchuk said on Tuesday that the real reason lay in long-standing “imperial ambitions”.
“There were violent, bloody clashes last night and last day in eastern Ukraine,” Archbishop Shevchuk said in a video message. “Donetsk and Lugansk regions are burning. The so-called missile terror continues, and Russian missiles again struck the wounded Chernihiv region.
Likewise, the Lviv region experienced the biggest rocket attacks during the war,” he said. Likewise, our Odessa region is suffering from missile attacks, especially from the Black Sea,” he said.
“War is always devastating, and according to UN officials, if the war continues, nine out of ten Ukrainians will be on the verge of poverty,” he continued, noting that Ukraine has already lost its great economic potential and value. at the beginning of the war, it “fell sharply.”
But Ukraine is standing, Ukraine is fighting, even though Ukraine is in difficult conditions right now,” he said.
The Archbishop also thanked those who gave solidarity and support to the Ukrainian people.
He especially thanked the Australian bishops for the letter of solidarity in which they did not hesitate to accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin of the attempted genocide against the Ukrainian people.
“Australian Bishops openly say who is at fault,” Shevchuk said. “It is clear to them how many years-decades and centuries-old Ukraine has recognized oppression and was destroyed by the imperial ambitions of our northern neighbor.”
The church in Australia “tells the truth to the world,” he said, “creating more friendship and support with the church, comforting us in our grief in Ukraine.”
Through this support, we “feel that we are not alone in our suffering, not alone in our grief, not alone in the struggle, the great Church of Christ and the great family of Christian nations around the world stand behind it. we, ”Shevchuk said.
“The real consolation of Ukraine is its victory,” he said, “when the Lord wipes away the tears of Ukraine’s children, mothers, fathers. This is when the last enemy was expelled from our homeland. ”
“Today we invoke the Holy Spirit to give us strength, endurance,” he said, referring to the Christian holiday of the descent of the Holy Spirit, which will be celebrated at Pentecost. “Holy Spirit, Comforter, bring peace to Ukraine.”
“Lord, comfort the mourners! Oh my God, be our only consolation! ” the archbishop prayed. “O God, remove the cause of our sorrow and sorrow! O Holy Spirit, Comforter, comfort! Calm the Ukrainian people and bless their children, the Ukrainian army, those who fight evil! ”
Source: Breitbart
