The archbishop of Kyiv sounds the alarm, calling for prayers. Local bishops report ongoing persecution. Separatists are seizing churches and monasteries in Donetsk and Luhansk.

Moscow (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Speaking at the second All-Church pilgrimage in the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, Mgr Sviatoslav Shevchuk, major archbishop of Kyiv-Halych (Kiev-Galicia), warned yesterday that the Greek Catholic Church is experiencing a time of martyrdom in eastern Ukraine.

"Today believers of our Church in Donetsk and Luhansk are suffering a time of martyrdom and need especially our prayerful support," the Greek Catholic primate said, adding, "May the Lord hear our prayers and supplication for peace and the end of bloodshed."

A few days ago, Bishop Borys Gudziak, rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University, also talked about "persecution" of the Greek Catholic Church in the regions torn by war between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian troops.

"The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the Donetsk region is undergoing significant persecution," Bishop Gudziak told Radio Liberty.

"The cathedral church in Donetsk was desecrated. Terrorists entered the church with weapons, a bomb fell in the yard, the apartment of the bishop was sealed, and his car was confiscated."

The prelate also reported that on Tuesday separatists seized the convent in Donetsk. He also warned that priests are in constant danger in Luhansk (Lugansk). (N.A.)

 

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• russia
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• donetsk
• lugansk
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• martyrdom
• sviatoslav
• shevchuk
• boris
• gudziak