Moscow, July 17, 2015
Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine has called on the Ukrainian authorities to stop the war.
"I respect and love the authorities. They are God-given. However, God puts authorities [in place] to fulfill God's will. The authorities should perpetuate peace, not conduct wars. Therefore, I love and respect the authorities, but I am asking them to do everything possible to stop the war," the metropolitan said in an interview published on the website of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
He said that the Church does not back any of the parties to this military conflict.
"As after the 1917 revolution, the Church called on people to reconcile with each other and to forgive each other after the 'dignity revolution' that took place in 2013-2014. This is the only way we can preserve the integrity of our state Ukraine. This is the only way we can enable our people to develop. This is the only way we can achieve progress, mental and physical," he said.
Metropolitan Onufry believes the main cause of the war is that people have fallen away from God.
"Let us repent and return to the Lord: everything will stop instantly and there will be good, beautiful and peaceful life. I wish the people who are suffering in the conflict zone God's blessing so that they can live with God and be brave and the Lord will not leave them. They will endure everything," he said.
