Metropolitan Archbishop Volodemer Koubetch, of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Brazil, says that Russia’s declared war on Ukraine is already a tragedy, whether it lasts for days, months or even years.
The cleric also claims that the conflict directly affects all Ukrainians around the world — or “in diaspora”, including those in Brazil.
“It seems to me that the word sadness corresponds very well to what the Ukrainian nation and the Ukrainian people are feeling right now. It is sadness, but it is fear, it is anguish and it is uncertainty”, says Bishop Volodemer to the column.
The metropolitan archbishop is at the head of the Ukrainian Catholic Metropolia São João Batista, the mother church of the denomination in the country, located in Curitiba. He participated this Thursday (24) in a meeting with other religious leaders to discuss holding a day of prayers for peace in Ukraine. The call must be made for next Sunday (27).
“We don’t know how this already tragic tragedy will end,” he says of the war. “But this tragedy could be much worse, and we pray to God that that doesn’t happen.”
The Ukrainian Catholic Church is considering making a request to the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) for the entire Catholic Church to unite on the day of prayers. The initiative adds to the prayer requested by Pope Francis for March 2, on Ash Wednesday.
“I leave my gratitude and my request for you to continue praying, so that the Holy Spirit enlighten the rulers of this world so that they take another path. Not the path of war and violence, but of dialogue, peace and diplomacy “, says the metropolitan archbishop.
Last week, President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) paid a visit to Moscow and said that Brazil “stands in solidarity” with Russia, without specifying in what aspect he expressed solidarity.
Asked about the episode, the archbishop says that the word “solidarity” was not appropriate for the situation. “It is a delicate matter to be evaluating, but it is clear that the Ukrainian community heard this with great sadness and anger”, says Bishop Volodemer.
“Of course he [Bolsonaro] went there with the aim of strengthening trade relations, but it was not the right time because it gave the president even more motivation [da Rússia, Vladimir] Putin to do what he is doing today”, he says, citing a statement that would have been made by federal deputy Rubens Bueno (Citizenship-PR).
In the assessment of Archbishop Volodemer Koubetch, the war that took place this Thursday is much more serious than the civil war involving the annexation of Crimea in 2014. “The situation is much, much worse. It is very serious,” he says.
“It was already an invasion what happened in 2014 in Crimea and in the east, in Donbass [área ucraniana de maioria russa étnica] and [na autoproclamada república] Lugansk. What is happening today is the continuation of this invasion, which Ukraine’s leaders are considering a total invasion.”
Both the Ukrainian Catholic Church and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church were told on Thursday to use simplified language when addressing the conflict with the faithful.
Pope Francis is the highest authority of the Ukrainian Catholic Church. On Wednesday (23), the pontiff appealed to leaders involved in the crisis to examine their consciences before taking actions that cause suffering.
CABIN
Chef Henrique Fogaça and his wife, chemical engineer Carine Ludvic, participated in a session for guests of the musical “Chicago”, at Teatro Santander, in São Paulo. Actress Carol Marra also attended the event, held on Wednesday (23). The show’s producers Alan Adler and Stephanie Mayorkis were also there.
with BIANKA VIEIRA and MANOELLA SMITH
