Victor A. Yushchenko

President of Ukraine

 

An open letter to the President of Ukraine

 

Dear Mr President,

we, the bishops of the orthodox Catholic Synod of the UGCC (Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church), are most appreciative of all that You have done for the Ukrainian nation (Orange Revolution, democratization of the society...). We above all appreciate Your global view of the individual, family as well as society. You have emphasized the existential need of the Christian faith (the Church): “Through spiritual values (which are provided by the Church) man can come to understand his vocation and mission in this life. Everything else is just dust and ashes.” (Lvov, 28th May 2009) You likewise take the credit for due celebration of the 1020th jubilee of the baptism of the Kievan Rus-Ukraine by Saint Vladimir last year. You witness that You personally care about the Christian values. These values formed not only Ukraine but also all Europe. We are thankful to God that we have a Christian President, and we pray that You may continue at this post. We would like to present to You two topical issues:

1)      the internal problems of the Church

2)      the ideal of a Christian President

 

ad 1) The internal problems of the Church

 

Mr President, although we have deep respect for You, we are obliged to warn You of false steps in the spiritual sphere. At the same time we have to admit that You are justified to a large extent. Neither Card. L. Husar nor other official Church representatives said to You clearly that the visit to the diviner in Transcarpathian Ukraine, and whatever contact with such people in general, is treated by God’s law as a grave sin. Whenever the kings of Israel had contact with these people, who represent a different spiritual world inimical to God, God chastised the entire nation for these sins with disasters, wars and also with an exile from their land to Babylon. These are sins against the First Commandment. Not even the Christian deputies are clear on this sphere. Last year they legalized the activity of diviners as an official profession. Please, make an all-out effort to annul this antichristian privilege which destroys both the individual and nation at the root. The main fault for lack of clarity in this sphere lies with the official representatives of the Church who, moreover, set a bad personal example not only to the faithful but to the whole society. Card. Husar boasts that he divines by pendulum, and the spiritual powers which work here he calls neutral physical energies. Yes, these indeed are energies, but personal, intelligent and evil ones (i.e. demons). Another Church representative is shown in a certain journal’s photograph with a man working with these “energies” and spirituality, who is laying his hands on him to “heal” and “bless” him. This is a very bad example degrading our Saviour and His Gospel. This is an anti-example of the official Church representatives in Ukraine who do not bring light and blessing for the nation, but spiritual darkness and curse.

 

As bishops of the orthodox Catholic Synod of the UGCC, we are obliged to warn You as well as the whole nation of yet another devious view which is falsely presented by the present apostatic hierarchy as the official standpoint of the Church. A destructive wave is coming from the Western Church nowadays which leads even our Eastern Church (UGCC as well as the Orthodox Church) into self-destruction. It brings along sins against the orthodox faith which, at the same time, are sins against the First Commandment. Today the whole Church is exposed to a strong influence of German theology based on a so-called scientific interpretation of the Scripture (historic-critical method). The fruit of this theology is gradual apostasy from the faith, casting doubt upon and denial of all fundamental truths of Christianity. President of the German Bishops’ Conference Archbishop R. Zollitsch declared on 18th April 2009: “Christ did not die for our sins, but out of mere solidarity with the poor.” This is a heresy denying whole Christianity. In response to this, our Synod declared God’s punishment of an anathema upon this bishop for proclamation of another gospel (Gal 1:8-9). We also did so by force of God’s authority which was given to us as to the successors of the apostles and prophets (Eph 2:20). Besides, we asked the Pope to remove the bishop concerned even from the external (official) position in the Church. Unfortunately, this bishop is not the only one. The majority of bishops in Western Europe are open to this heresy or paralyzed by it. Card. L. Husar has opened the door for it in Ukraine. In his book “Discussions with His Beatitude L. Husar: On Postconfessional Christianity” as well as in his public speeches he preaches heresies. Therefore we were obliged to publish God’s anathema both upon him and upon the bishops who are in unity with him and his heresies. Since then L. Husar and the bishops (apostates) have occupied the Church posts in the UGCC unlawfully. The Pope has been silent so far, because he sees that this question needs to be dealt with globally. Behind the apostatic hierarchy is the whole antipapal and apostatic system, which is inside the Church and destroys it. Mr President, the problem of the apostatic and the orthodox Synod concerns all Ukraine, that means, You too. What is the solution?

 

First variant:

 

Deposition of Card. Husar by the Pope. Husar, however, hypocritically claims protection by the state. Both he and those that are at one with him claim: “The UGCC is the most stable social element of Ukraine, therefore it must be respected.” He thus actually implies that one must respect his person and the whole apostatic Synod. Unfortunately it is, in fact, him and his people who not only destroy the essence of the UGCC but, moreover, intend to introduce this poisonous model into the so-called single local Ukrainian Church. WE THEREFORE WARN THAT ON THE BASIS OF HERESY AND APOSTASY (OF HUSAR AND HIS SYNOD) FROM THE TRUE-CATHOLIC FAITH NO TRUE UNITY CAN BE ACHIEVED. Such globalization would be detrimental to all believers as well as to all Ukraine. Provided L. Husar resigns and the bishops repent in earnest, we are willing to join this Synod and to work towards a true renewal of the UGCC on the basis of conversion and repentance. In accordance with the Eastern Tradition (St. Basil the Great), apostate bishops should never again hold any Church office. Still, one may assume that supposing they repent sincerely, the Pope may grant them a special grace and return their offices to them. However, the successor of L. Husar can by no means be any of the representatives of heresy!

 

Second variant:

 

Card. L. Husar and his Synod do not want to repent, do not want to renounce heresies. They cynically boycott God’s anathema which they have incurred. What is more, they abuse state organs (through personal contacts), which in consequence commit religious discrimination against us. The laws of Ukraine are very tolerant even towards non-Christian groups (and even towards sects) and register them without a problem, pleading freedom of worship. We, however, are denied this freedom. Along with the faithful who are in unity with us we demand lawful registration of orthodox Catholic parish communities and centre. Yet our applications are repeatedly sent back to us as from Lvov so from Ternopol, Ivano-Frankivsk and Kiev. The unofficial explanation for this discrimination is that Card. Husar allegedly influenced the President, with the aim of thwarting the registration. For he presented it as an effort at a split.

 

We respond: This is no effort at a split, but at a revival. The situation is similar to that which You found Yourself in during the Orange Revolution and thereafter – You advocated democratization and Your enemies accused You of a split of Ukraine.

 

Mr President, not only within the bounds of tolerance or religious freedom but also of the spiritual good of Ukraine, please, allow our orthodox Catholic Synod of the UGCC as well as all orthodox Catholic believers to be duly registered under the name of OGCC (Orthodox Greek-Catholic Church). The head of our orthodox Catholic Synod is Archbishop Mikhaylo Osidach (79).

 

There are three Orthodox Churches in Ukraine. There can be two Greek-Catholic ones as well. This is then practical tolerance, of which You often speak.

 

ad 2) The ideal (or decalogue) of a Christian President

 

As representatives of the orthodox doctrine of the UGCC we present to You the following model which You can publicly put forward before the presidential election. Provided that You do so, not only we will fully support You but every Christian will be bound in conscience to vote for You, and not only members of the UGCC or Orthodox Churches but Christians of other denominations as well (the Baptists...). Even all sincere atheists, provided they care about sound moral principles at least a little, will then be bound in their conscience to vote for You. And above all, we believe that God Himself will give You His special blessing if You wholly stand up for Him and His laws (The Decalogue, Christ’s Commandments). God will then be glorified through You. THUS YOU WILL SET AN EXAMPLE TO ALL PRESIDENTS OF EUROPE. THE HEALTHY PROGRAMME OF A RENEWAL OF THE INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY AND SOCIETY WILL ESPECIALLY BE AN EXAMPLE TO RUSSIA. In it is fulfilled the prophecy: “If Russia is converted, there will be no third world war.” (The message of Our Lady of Fatima)

 

What do we consider the basic pillars of the spiritual renewal of the nation:

 

1)      There must be the spiritual leaven of sound Christian teaching and sound morals. Unfortunately, neither Card. L. Husar nor his apostatic Synod are this leaven. They are rather a spiritual poison for the UGCC and for the entire nation.

 

2)      The nation needs a moral pattern. That You may become this pattern, You need sound advisers. These advisers can by no means be diviners. Their advice and the receiving of their “services” call down a curse upon the whole nation.

 

3)      It is necessary to implement laws that would permit preaching of sound moral and spiritual principles, rooted in the Christian tradition of Ukraine, through the mass media. Films and programmes propagating cynicism, impurity and perversity should be reduced to a minimum.

 

4)      It is necessary to put through such laws which in current democracy will support a sound formation of the young generation. Concretely it concerns a conscious preparation for marriage and for a life founded on responsibility, conscience and God’s laws. The young generation needs to see patterns and ideals even in the personalities of the past and to imitate their generous deeds. Therefore the sphere of culture and education has to pursue one main aim – moral recovery of the individual, family and society.

 

5)      It is necessary to preclude the mass media from demoralizing the young generation by propagation of evil, cult of violence and pagan religions to the prejudice of Christianity (many TV channels are unfortunately in the hands of foreign headquarters). It is necessary that the Ministry of Culture should not permit films that offend Christianity (e.g. The Da Vinci Code, which disgraces and ridicules our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in a mean way). It is a burning shame that these films were allowed in Ukraine.

 

6)      Concretely it is necessary to reduce slot machines to a minimum, to prohibit the propagation of drugs, to stop the promotion of decadent philosophies and psychologies as well as of Oriental meditations connected with magic practices.

 

7)      It is also necessary to solve the problem of bribery which paralyzes the whole nation. However, that all is not possible without true interior conversion of the individual and without proclamation of the pure Gospel. Heretical Christianity represented by Card. L. Husar is the greatest obstacle to the spiritual resurrection and awakening of all Ukraine. He himself is a negative example of bribery – simony inside the Church.

 

8)      Do not be afraid to publicly prohibit homoeopathy (so-called alternative medicine) which a) is a deceit from the scientific point of view and b) opens the young generation in particular for the spiritual infection of divination and magic because it is founded on this basis. Through homoeopathy the souls of the Ukrainian nation are being gradually poisoned. Behind the whole system there are milliards of dollars; however, human souls, for which You too bear responsibility, are of greater value! If the priests were truly converted and prayed for spiritual and physical recoveries, it would bring recovery of both the individual and nation.

 

9)      The question of homosexuality: In recent years systematic campaigns have been launched in Europe for legalization of homosexual marriages. This anomaly has been put on an equal footing with marriage, and even through state laws. This Amoral model of the European Union can by no means be a pattern for Ukraine because it leads to degradation of the individual, family and society! God’s Word clearly warns against this moral epidemic which carried the punishment from heaven in the form of fire. It was a warning to all generations. Unfortunately, in Ukraine this campaign has already been launched. We have sent an explanatory brochure dealing with this topic to the deputies of the Ukrainian Parliament. At the same time we called upon all Christians to pray continually day and night from the day of Pentecost (7th June) until the feast of the Intercession of the Mother of God (14th October) (dates according to the Julian calendar) for the cessation of this campaign as well as for the spiritual resurrection of Ukraine. (how to pray is explained in the pastoral letter of 23rd May 2009, www.community.org.ua)

 

10)  Renew the consecration of Ukraine to the Most Holy Virgin, in the same way as it was done by the son of St. Vladimir, Yaroslav the Wise. On the pattern of St. Vladimir, who broke with paganism, do not permit either now or in the future the visit of the Dalai Lama to Ukraine. The Dalai Lama is a representative of demonic spirituality and considers himself a reincarnated god. Through the Dalai Lama comes a curse!

 

      If You have ever been to some diviner, You must renounce it. Become thus a pattern for all deputies as well as for the whole nation – by showing that You want to seek the true light from above, from God, and that You do not want to receive the false light from those who fight against God! Therefore repeal the law which officially enrolled diviners as a profession last year. We likewise have to tell You honestly that the disintegration of family and society is caused by a certain organization which for more than 200 years has been covertly and systematically destroying moral values and has on its conscience many wars and catastrophes. In recent times this organization has started to expand rapidly even in Ukraine, especially among the people who have a certain social or power influence on the nation. This concerns Freemasons. Break whatever contact with this organization and set an example to all honest politicians in Europe. Do not be afraid of persecution or revenge on the part of this organization. If God is with You, You will overcome and open the door for the true spiritual revival of the Ukrainian nation. Do not be afraid to take action and to start this work which will continue even after Your presidency and will bring the fruit of a true blessing for the whole Ukrainian nation. If You stand against these powers of darkness as it was done by Your predecessor St. Vladimir, God Himself will defend You!

 

Conclusion

Dear Mr President, if You present this programme to the Ukrainian nation and if it is not ridiculed in the mass media but, on the contrary, if it is conscientiously explained, we believe that the heart of the nation, which longs for true paradise not only after death but even here on earth, will give vote to You. You have emphasized the existential need of the Christian faith (the Church): “Through spiritual values (which are provided by the Church) man can come to understand his vocation and mission in this life. Everything else is just dust and ashes.” moral recovery of the nation will bring a blessing even in the political and economic sphere.

 

Praying for You and bestowing upon You God’s blessing,

bishops of the orthodox Catholic Synod of the UGCC

+ Markian OSBM

+ Metod?j OSBM

+ Samuel OSBM

+ Eliáš OSBM

 

Copies to:

-          The Holy Father Benedict XVI

-          Members of the Ukrainian Parliament

-          European Presidents

 

Pidhirtsi, 4th June 2009

 

 

Address: Pidhirtsi 19, Brody dist., Lvov reg., 80660, Ukraine

www.community.org.ua; e-mail address: pidhirci.community@gmail.com