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Skriven 2007-04-05 07:53:14 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

UKRAINE: CULTURE AND RELIGION IN SERVICE OF COMMON GOOD

VATICAN CITY, MAR 30, 2007 (VIS) - Today in the Vatican, Benedict XVI received
the Letters of Credence of Tetiana Izhevska, the new ambassador of the Ukraine
to the Holy See. He opened his French-language speech to the diplomat by
thanking her for the invitation of Victor Iouchtchenko, president of Ukraine,
to visit his country.

"Ukraine, which because of its geographical position has always had the
vocation of being a gateway between East and West," said the Holy Father, "has
over these years begun and developed a policy of openness and collaboration
with other countries on the continent." He expressed his appreciation for this
state of affairs which, he said, is contributing "to restoring Europe to its
true dimension, ensuring conditions of fruitful exchange between ... the two
cultural lungs that forged its history."

"I am sure that the Ukrainian nation - its life, culture and institutions
profoundly impregnated with the Gospel - will concern itself with carrying the
dynamism of its identity to other nations, while preserving its original
characteristics. Indeed it is vital, in a world ever more strongly marked by
globalization, to favor a serious and profound dialogue between cultures and
religions, not in order to reduce them all to some impoverished syncretism but
to help them develop mutual respect and cooperate ... for the common good. This
will enable a reduction of the ever-present sources of tension and conflict
between groups and nations, and guarantee everyone the conditions for lasting
peace and development."

The Pope recalled "the good relations that exist between the government
authorities and the Churches and ecclesial communities in Ukraine," where
"believers enjoy religious liberty, an essential aspect of human freedom." In
keeping with "a just distinction between the responsibilities of the religious
and civil spheres, the State recognizes different forms of worship ... ensuring
them equal rights before the law and thus allowing each ... to play its
specific role for the common good of the nation."

The Holy Father also considered the question of the Catholic Church's
involvement in the education of young Ukrainians, praising the efforts "of the
Pan-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations to draw up a
program concerning the teaching of Christian ethics in State schools."

Finally, the Pope mentioned the Catholics who live in Ukraine, both those of
the Latin rite and those of the Byzantine rite, highlighting their "concern for
the permanent dialogue between the Eastern and Western traditions." The Holy
Father thanked President Iouchtchenko for the concern he has shown for the
bishops of the Ukrainian Episcopal Conference of the Latin rite, and gave
assurances of "the commitment of all Ukrainian Catholics to the wellbeing of
the country."

"I know that their desire is to bear daily witness to the Gospel through acts
of solidarity, ... through a will to build peace and a desire to consolidate
the values of the family founded upon marriage," Pope Benedict concluded. "I am
also aware of their wish to progress along the path of unity with their
Orthodox brethren and with their brothers and sisters in other Christian
communities. I encourage them, then, always to be willing to consolidate
ecumenical dialogue, which is such a vital way to overcome difficulties."
CD/CREDENTIALS:UKRAINE/IZHEVSKAVIS 070330 (550)

SUMMARY

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