Ukrainian Catholic leader calls for unity amid clash between government, paramilitary group

July 15, 2015

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church called for an end to bloodshed and for national unity following violence between the nation’s government and Pravy Sektor (Right Sector), a paramilitary group allied with the government in opposing the Russian invasion.

“I want to remind the representatives of a state authority, as well as volunteers and activists, [of] God’s commandment: ‘Do not murder!’” Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk said in a July 14 statement.

“Whereas our Motherland, being a victim of an outer aggression, [should] defend its freedom and independence, the unity and consolidation are very important for our society,” he added. “It is inadmissible to allow an inside division … to appear, for it only drains our strength of blood and destroys the opportunity [for] a just fight.”

 

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Further information:

• The address of His Beatitude Sviatoslav on occasion of a bloodshed in Mukachevo (UGCC)
• Far-Right group Pravy Sektor challenges Ukraine government after shootout (The Telegraph)