UGCC Head in 141 st Week of War: “Corruption Weakens Our State’s Ability to Defend Itself”
Corruption is akin to corrosion—a grave moral crime. In times of war, it could be called moral sabotage against Ukraine. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, made this statement in his traditional video address on the 141 st week of the brutal war.
The Primate highlighted that people continue to die in Ukraine, and innocent blood is being shed. Our soldiers are heroically defending our homeland on all fronts. Last week, we especially mourned the victims of Russian attacks on our cities and villages. The pain of Ukrainians grows with each passing day. “At the same time,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted sorrowfully, “another deep wound has emerged in the heart of our people.” “We have all become aware of the terrible abuses in medical commissions that declared individuals unfit for military service—individuals who otherwise have a duty to defend their homeland.”
He pointed out that we are witnessing corruption in one of its most appalling forms: “Corruption diminishes our state’s capacity to defend itself and drains our society. This is why there was such public outrage when corruption touched the conscience of doctors—those entrusted with our most precious possession: our health, and, in the case of conscription, our lives.”
The Head of the Church called on everyone to remember the commitment made during the Revolution of Dignity when, as a nation, we declared to officials, politicians, and state authorities: “No to corruption!” “Today, our moral slogan must resound once again,” the Primate urged.
Meanwhile, His Beatitude Sviatoslav also noted that last week brought moments of joy and significance in the life of our Church. He made an official visit to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at his residence in Constantinople.
“I once again heard from the Ecumenical Patriarch how pleased he is with the life and development of our Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church: ‘How can a mother not be happy with her child? How can she not rejoice as her child grows?’” shared the spiritual leader. “Today, among the leaders of Churches and nations, few rejoice in the life and growth of our Church,” he added.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed gratitude to Patriarch Bartholomew for the clear and unanimous stance of the Patriarchate of Constantinople on the “Russian world” ideology, which the Patriarchate recognized as heresy at the last Synaxis. It was up to the Orthodox hierarchs, representing the Orthodox world, to speak on this matter.
He also mentioned that this Sunday, the month-long Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church concluded, with Pope Francis and nearly 500 delegates from all over the world in attendance.
The UGCC Department for Information
