UGCC: Ukraine-Poland are divided not by UPA struggle but by myths about it
Sviatoslav Shevchuk. Photo: UGCC press service
The UGCC head Sviatoslav Shevchuk said on his Facebook page that Polish-Ukrainian disputes are caused not by historical facts of the national liberation struggle itself, but by political myths about it that have been shaped in Poland.
According to Shevchuk, “today, when national egoisms are reviving, it is becoming increasingly difficult to speak about reconciliation.”
“It is important that objective historical scholarship disarm political manipulations. There were crimes and victims on both sides,” the head of the UGCC said. However, he did not specify whether he agrees that the Volhynia massacre carried out by members of the OUN-UPA was a crime.
He also pointed to the need for an objective historical study of the tragic pages of Polish-Ukrainian relations – in particular, the exhumation of victims on both sides of the conflict. According to him, many mass graves on both sides of the border are still awaiting a Christian burial. Without serious scholarly work, Shevchuk warned, politicians will always manipulate historical truth for narrow political purposes.
As the UOJ reported, Poland is demanding systematic exhumations of the victims of Volhynia. The issue of the Volhynia tragedy of 1943, when fighters of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army killed tens of thousands of Polish residents, remains one of the main stumbling blocks in bilateral relations.
Read also
SBU told Phanar many UOC bishops would join OCU in 2018, report says
According to a Phanar representative’s account, Ukrainian security services told the Constantinople delegation that many UOC representatives were prepared to attend the OCU’s “Unification Council.” In the end, only two did.
Catholic cardinal visits Ukrainian POWs during trip to Russia
During three days of consultations in Moscow, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi discussed prospects for ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainians help restore Serbian Orthodox church in Paris
Orthodox Ukrainians have become regular parishioners of St. Sava Church in Paris and have taken part in its restoration.
Bulgarian Church clergy and laity oppose Phanar head’s visit
More than 2,000 clergy and laity have called for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit to be canceled, citing disagreement with his actions and concerns that the visit could legitimize schism.
Unknown intruders break down doors at two UOC churches in Sloviansk
Archbishop Paisiy said OCU activists are suspected of breaking into the churches in Sloviansk, and police have launched an investigation.
Sviatohirsk Lavra prays for murdered monk on 40th day after death
The brethren of the Sviatohirsk Lavra held a memorial service for murdered Monk Varsonofiy, calling on the faithful to pray for the newly departed monk.