Russian Orthodox patriarch praises Pope, criticizes Ukrainian Catholics

May 05, 2015

Speaking at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church praised Pope Francis and Cardinal Pietro Parolin while offering strong criticism of Ukraine’s Eastern Catholics.

“Pope Francis and the Holy See’s Secretary of State have taken a considered position on the situation in Ukraine, avoiding unilateral assessments and calling for an end to the fratricidal war,” said Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, according to a report from the Interfax news agency.

“This is very important because, as we know, the Greek Catholics and schismatics in Ukraine have taken a unilateral position, add oil to the fire, incite negative feelings, pit people against one another, and call this the protection of national interests, stage witch hunts, seize Orthodox churches and from being a peacekeeping force have turn into an ideological one that serves one side of the civil conflict,” he added.

 

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Further information:

• Patriarch Kirill grateful to Pope for considered stance on Ukraine, condemns Uniates (Interfax)