Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the 196th week of the war: We condemn and denounce the phenomenon termed corruption
In wartime, corruption is a gross act of sabotage against Ukraine, especially in the energy sector, while millions of Ukrainians suffer from power and heat shortages. This was stated by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, in his traditional wartime video address in the 196th week of the full-scale invasion of Russian troops on peaceful Ukrainian land.
The Primate noted that this week will go down in history as a week of heroic resistance, of heroic efforts by Ukrainian troops who stopped the Russian occupiers’ attempts to advance deeper into Ukrainian territory. In particular, heavy fighting is raging around the city of Pokrovsk, where the enemy is concentrating its main offensive and potential for attacks on Ukraine. Our defenders also stopped attempts by Russian troops to advance in the south of our homeland, near Zaporizhzhia.
“This week, source of anguish has erupted in the hearts and minds of Ukrainians”, noted the Head of the Church. Our law enforcement agencies have uncovered a criminal corruption scheme that was destroying Ukraine’s energy system. We share the pain of our society and, fulfilling the prophetic role of the Church, we consistently denounce and condemn the phenomenon we call corruption.”
The spiritual leader called it encouraging that this anti-corruption purge is being carried out by our state bodies, which are fighting this evil: “We hope that the Ukrainian state, our government, will consistently fight and stop this phenomenon. And we, as a society, as church communities and public organizations, are creating the necessary public opinion, which has declared zero tolerance for any manifestations of this evil — moral, social, economic — in our society. Today we say that corruption is not only a moral evil, but also a crime against Ukraine.”
At the same time, the Head of the Church noted that despite our inner pain and difficulties, despite the new victims of this war, no one can break Ukraine’s will for freedom, truth, dignity, and independence, which are essential prerequisites for the development of every person and every nation.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav also noted that on November 16, the Ukrainian Church celebrates International Day of the Poor and asks us once again to pay special attention to those who are most in need, especially during times of war.
“Today, we appeal to the international community so that all people of good will feel the pain of Ukraine. If you want to serve those who are most in need, please direct your attention to the cities and villages of Ukraine, which suffer daily and nightly from Russian armed attacks,” urged the Head of the UGCC.
