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Appeal to all parties involved to follow the path of dialogue and for peace to prevail, stability and justice in Ukraine, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew today, on the Sunday of the Telos and Pharisee, in his address after the Divine Liturgy, at which he presided in the Patriarchal Church in the Lantern.
"Weapons are not the solution. On the contrary, they can only provoke war and violence, sorrow and death," the Ecumenical Patriarch warned, asking all religious leaders, all those in positions of power, as well as every person of good will, to seek a peaceful resolution of this dangerously escalating situation, both in terms of rhetoric and actions, which hangs heavy and threatening over the Ukrainian people. As His Holiness said, a war in Europe could turn into World War III.
Specifically, the Ecumenical Patriarch, speaking in English, in the presence of Hierarchs of the Throne, the Consuls General of Croatia, Poland, Moldova, Slovakia and Romania, the Consuls General of Greece, Ukraine and the Czech Republic, Archbishops of Ophelia, and numerous faithful, including many Ukrainians living in the City, recalled that the Sunday of the Telon and Pharisee marks the entry into a period of repentance, fasting and exercise on the way to Holy Easter, and pointed out that at this time we are all called upon to pray fervently and heartily for the preservation of peace in Ukraine.
His Holiness stressed that we must unequivocally oppose the possibility of "a new war in Europe as a result of the escalation of extreme rhetoric and the militarization of the border between Russia and Ukraine."
"We call for lasting peace, stability and justice in the region. Peace is a matter of choice and must be pursued by all powers involved in this highly complex and sensitive geopolitical context. It is the duty of all of us to pray and actively contribute to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, for the unconditional respect and protection of human rights and dignity. Conflict between human beings may be inevitable in this fallen and shaky world, but we must oppose war and violence with all our being."
The Ecumenical Patriarch said that the Ancient Greeks attached particular importance to the good of peace, and recalled the position of Benjamin Franklin, who said that "there has never been a good war or a bad peace".
And the Patriarch stressed.
We firmly believe that there is no other solution for maintaining and securing peace except through dialogue, which abolishes the conditions that lead to violence and war. Peace comes from mutual respect and cooperation. In an environment of increasing uncertainty in human affairs, the word of the Church must be a clear message of reconciliation and peace, love and justice, fraternity and solidarity.
We call on all parties involved to follow this path of dialogue and respect for international law in order to end the confrontation and allow all Ukrainians to live in harmony. Arms are not the solution. On the contrary, they can only cause war and violence, grief and death. As our beloved brother Pope Francis recently said: 'Let us not forget: war is madness. All ministers of the Church, all representatives of religious traditions, all those in positions of power, all people of good will, every one of us, must call for a peaceful resolution of this dangerous escalation, both in terms of rhetoric and action, which hangs heavy and ominous over the Ukrainian people. Silence and indifference are not an option. There is no peace without constant vigilance. Therefore, we are all 'doomed to peace, which means, destined to the constant struggle for its establishment and defence'."
Source: Proto Thema
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