Ukrainian Catholic leadership emphasizes: no political activity by clergy

May 06, 2014

As the May 25 Ukrainian election approaches, the administrator of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church’s patriarchal curia has reminded priests not be engaged in political activity.

“The Church takes an unaltered stand: priests should not be engaged in political parties, community organizations, because this activity is reserved for the faithful laity,” said Bishop Bohdan Dzyurakh, according to the Religious Information Service of Ukraine.

Instead, the task of the clergy is “the formation of the conscience of their faithful,” he continued. “Because when a priest forms the spiritual life of his faithful on the basis of God’s Commandments, these faithful will be capable of making a valid choice during the elections and to head various political and social processes for the benefit of the Ukrainian people.”

 

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Further information:

• The Mission Of The Church Is Neither Political Nor Social-Economic But, Above All, It Is A Religious One.” Bishop Bohdan (Dziurakh) (RISU)
• Ukrainian Church leaders direct priests to stay out of political campaigns (CWN, 4/11)