Pastoral letter concerning Petition for protection of family

Dear priests of the UGCC,

we are turning to You with confidence. We are aware that whatever expression of sympathy for us will entail heavy sanctions on the part of the apostatical hierarchy of the UGCC. However, in spite of that do make a certain step for the sake of Christ, the Church and the nation – it will be a step of Your faith. Permit, or perhaps support or initiate – either publicly or at least privately – signing of the petition for protection of family by as many believers in Your parish as possible against the propagation of homosexuality which by means of laws is already being harshly pushed through in the EU. Please, send then the filled-in sign-up sheets by post to the Head of the Regional Council, either to Lvov or Ivano-Frankivsk or Ternopol. Make this step of faith while there is still time. Tomorrow it might be late. This Your step of faith is desired by the One who died and rose again from the dead – by Jesus Christ Himself. Once You stand before the judgement seat of God, He will ask each one of You to give an account for this decision of Yours. However, the same will be demanded from You by the future generation of Ukraine. We hereby just humbly present to You what God requires of each one of You personally today.

      In Christ,

             Bishops of the UOGCC

                     + Samuel OSBM, + Markian OSBM, + Metod?j OSBM, + Eliáš OSBM                      Lvov, 4th November 2009

P.S.: Specimen petition:

                                      Petition for protection of family

We, the undersigned, ask the representatives of the Regional Council in Ivano-Frankivsk (Lvov, Ternopol...) not to permit propagation of homosexuality on our territory by means of gay prides. Homosexuality causes moral decay and destroys natural family which is formed by father, mother and children!