In US, Patriarch Husar Speaks of Restrictions on Faithful in Russia
Washington, DC (UNIS) — On Friday, March 4, 2005 Patriarch Lubomyr Husar, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) , visited Washington, D.C. and held a number of meetings regarding the freedom of religious practices for the c hurch, in Russia in particular, as well as societal changes in Ukraine post-"Orange Revolution."
Accompanying the patriarch was Metropolitan Stefan Soroka, head of the Ukrainian Catholic archeparchy of Philadephia, and Rev. Robert Hitchens, r ector of St. Josaphat's Ukrainian Catholic Seminary in Washington, DC. In a meeting with Ambassador John Tefft, deputy assistant secretary of the European and Eurasian Affairs Bureau at the U.S. Department of State, the p atriarch expressed his concern regarding the restrictions that are imposed on the faithful of the UGCC in the Russian Federation. The patriarch remarked that, considering the long and complicated history of the Ukrainian nation's oppression by Russia, it is difficult to estimate the number of ethnic Ukrainians residing in the Russian Federation. However, multiple attempts by the UGCC to organize parishes and send pastors to Russia have been met with resistance from the Moscow Patriarchate.
Patriarch Husar noted that, on the federal level, there exists legislation protecting the right of religious freedom for all Russian citizens, though local authorities often contradict this legislation and even court decisions pose obstacles to registering the Ukrainian Greek Catholic communities. "It is understandable that the federal government has difficulties following all such cases , simply because the local governments are very far removed physically. Nevertheless, we believe that the federal authorities tacitly endorsed their illegal actions. We believe that the Russian government has to put forth more effort for local officials to conform to the law," commented Patriarch Husar.
In return, Ambassador Tefft replied that he is aware of this problem and that P rotestant denominations that have attempted to set up their parishes in Russia also has been met with resistance. "I assure you that we are already working with this issue. I will personally send a message to our embassy in Moscow to raise this issue in the meetings with Russian authorities," said the a mbassador. He also mentioned that these problems were pointed out in the Department of State's Annual Human Rights Report for Russia, which triggered a very negative reaction from the Russian government.
The patriarch also mentioned the upcoming visit of Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko to Washington, D.C. and the need to elevate its status to an official state visit. In particular, the p atriarch noted that this visit carries a very deep symbolic meaning for the Ukrainian people. Ambassador Tefft replied that the decision regarding the visit depends on the a dministration and promised to convey the patriarch 's concerns to the appropriate officials.
In other meetings throughout the day, the patriarch visited with Mykhajlo Reznik, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States. The Ukrainian ambassador warmly greeted the patriarch as they spoke about the new Ukrainian government and its many opportunities. Patriarch Husar mentioned the faithful in Ukraine and their peaceful resistance to the autocratic regime and the falsification of the November 21st election and the uplifting in the national consciousness.
The day also began with a meeting with Mark Levin, e xecutive d irector of NCSJ, an advocacy group for Jews in the former Soviet Union. The discussion centered on restitution of religious communal property in Ukraine, and the formation of a council of religious denominations. Mr. Levin thanked His the patriarch for his ecumenism, especially in light of the dramatic events of the "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine. A brief mention was also made regarding the Jackson-Vanik amendment and its need for "graduation" in the U.S. Congress.
Source: Ukrainian National Information Service
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