Czech Roman Catholic bishop condemns murder of Sviatohirsk Lavra monk

The emeritus bishop of the RCC responded to the murder of a monk at the Sviatohirsk Lavra. Photo: UOJ

Emeritus bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in Czech Republic Václav Malý condemned the attack on the Sviatohirsk Lavra and the murder of monk Varsonofiy. The bishop sent an official statement regarding the tragedy at the Sviatohirsk Monastery to the UOJ in Czech Republic and Slovakia.

"An attack on the Sviatohirsk Lavra – a house of prayer – is an act that must be unequivocally condemned," Bishop Václav Malý said. "I express my condolences to the entire brotherhood and to all those affected."

The Catholic bishop stressed the need to oppose all forms of violence and called for a thorough and fair investigation. "It is important not to remain indifferent to any acts of violence and to call for an impartial and fair investigation," the bishop added.

On August 23, at around 11:00, unknown individuals attacked the Holy Mountains Lavra. The attackers killed monk Varsonofiy and seriously wounded two more novices of the monastery. The forensic examination determined the cause of the monk's death to be a through-and-through gunshot wound to the head and neck with damage to the skull bones.

Novice Gregory sustained more than 10 stab wounds, with his lung punctured; lay worker Andriy Kirienko was brutally beaten by the criminals, had his arm broken, and received two stab wounds to the back. Both novices underwent complex surgeries, but the brothers now face a long period of recovery.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a former RCC priest who converted to Orthodoxy condemned the murder in Sviatohirsk.

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