Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk: Reconciliation between our nations is a process of healing wounds
Reconciliation between our nations is a process of healing the wounds that both Poles and Ukrainians carry in their souls and consciences to this day - said Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halyč Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, in an address during the Service of “Forgiveness and Reconciliation” in the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Warsaw.
Archbishop Shevchuk stressed that “Reconciliation between our nations is a process of healing the wounds that both Poles and Ukrainians carry in their souls and consciences to this day. It is not easy to heal pain and resentment”.
Archbishop Shevchuk indicated the extraordinary developments of last year, “when Poles opened their hearts and homes to refugees from Ukraine. Earlier resentments have disappeared and were replaced by the opportunity to forge personal friendships. I can say the same for the Ukrainian side. The Ukrainian people feel that Poles are their best friends. We know that Poles always root for Ukraine and that they are like compatriots and closest comrades who can be counted on; they are our friends and our brothers. We can now build new relationships that are being born before our very eyes”.
“We are now building a new memory, which, as Pope Francis says, is a good memory. In my opinion, it is a gift from God we should embrace so as not to remain slaves to the past, but to build a better future ahead of us” – said Archbishop Shevchuk.
Press Office of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
Translated by M. Turski / Office for Foreign Communication of the Polish Bishops’ Conference
