Hope and vision in Ukraine
Friday, March 21, 2014

"We believe that Ukraine is a breath of fresh air for Europe," stated Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishop Borys Gudziak and Professor Myroslav Marynovych, former Gulag political prisoner.

“Ukraine is not a trouble spot, but a partner offering a vision, a reminder of the original European spirit: youth, dynamism, and a profound belief in the principles and values that found the European project.” 

“The Ukrainian youth carry this vision, and have been martyred for this same hope. What is Europe’s answer to them?”

Maidan, the space for political expression on Independence Square in Kiev, and replicated in scores of Ukrainian cities and communities worldwide is in fact an “Agora,” a place to discuss, exchange ideas, create consensus. 

“The Maidan movement, encompassing all levels of Ukrainian society and all religious traditions,” said Myroslav Marynovych, “is not ending. There is no going back.” 

“It is the voice of the people calling for profound change in Ukraine, not simply to rotate the faces in a quasi-Soviet political structure, but a movement to see true democratic structures in place as in the tradition of European democracy.”

“The opportunity that Ukraine and the ongoing democratic processes present might also be an example to Russians as how to move towards democracy.”

Bishop Borys Gudziak concluded by saying: “We see a great historical shift, a deep movement within the Ukrainian society, a passage from fear to dignity.” 

“In fact this revolution is called the ‘Revolution of Dignity.’ The resistance to the Yanukovych regime helped people claim their dignity; the invasion of Crimea is helping the people claim their sense of national identity.”

“In these days of heavy political decisions, we came to the EU to help them help us,” said Bishop Gudziak, “to let them know how young Ukrainians are the best guarantee for Europe’s peace and prosperity.”

Bishop Borys Gudziak, the Greek Catholic Eparch for France, Benelux and Switzerland, and Professor Myroslav Marynovych, a leading moral authority in Ukraine, are respectively President and vice-Rector of the Catholic University of Lviv. 

With the support of Aid to the Church in Need, they were in Brussels to update policy makers about the situation in Ukraine, the reality on the ground and the potential impact of Europe’s immediate and future policy decisions. 

With picture of Bishop Borys Gudziak (left), Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, Professor Myroslav Marynovych (© Council of the EU)