Vatican criticizes mobilization of priests in Ukraine

Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti. Photo: vaticannews

The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, RCC Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, explained in an interview with Vatican News the words of Pope Francis regarding Ukraine, stating that "faith cannot be reduced to an instrument of power."

Gugerotti emphasized that it is difficult for Christians not to refer to politics in a conflict situation; however, "people are not saved by TV news instead of preaching," and in the conditions of war, they "need hope, and the only hope is that Christ died and rose again."

"It is not easy to understand when priests are called to fight on the front, leaving parish communities without pastoral care. Who and what can spread hope for survival among these people if not the liturgy, sacraments, prayer, and the priest who comforts and helps – in a word, God's love? How can one think it is more useful to fight than to support people morally?" noted the Cardinal.

According to him, to understand this, one must believe in God.

"And when faith becomes something like a lacquer coating, it happens that people make decisions, convinced that they are doing it for the good of the people, while questioning the very survival of the people," said the Prefect.

According to the Vatican representative, such manipulation is a powerful temptation: for the authorities, to have the Church on their side, and for the Church, to gain an advantage.

"But asking the Church to be on your side means feeling your own weakness," he stated.

As reported, the Vatican explained why it did not sign the declaration of the "Peace Summit" in Switzerland.

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