The head of the UGCC reacted to Pope Francis’ statement that he urged Russian youth to remember the greatness of their state and never forget the heritage. This was published on the website of the UGCC.
Sviatoslav Shevchuk believes that those words were the worst example of Russian imperialism and extreme nationalism and expressed concern that they could be perceived as support for these ideologies. He called them spontaneous and without historical context.
“We share the great pain caused by them, not only among the episcopate, clergy, monastics and faithful of our Church, but also among other denominations and religious organizations. At the same time, we realize the deep disappointment in society that they have caused,” the head of the UGCC wrote.
Shevchuk also noted that the Pope has always condemned any form of imperialism, and even called extreme nationalism the cause of the “fragmented Third World War.” So, in his opinion, the pontiff’s latest words go against what he has always preached.
