Letter to Cardinal Husar on Political Turmoil in Ukraine, December 2, 2004

December 2, 2004 

His Beatitude
Lubomyr Cardinal Husar
Major Archbishop of Lviv of the Ukrainians
Pl. sv. Yura, 5
290000 Lviv, Ukraine 

Your Beatitude: 

On behalf of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, I want to express our deep solidarity with you, your brother bishops, the Catholic clergy and laity of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and all of the people of Ukraine during this most difficult time of political turmoil and conflict. 

We admire the courage and determination of the Ukrainian people as you seek a more democratic government and a just resolution of political difficulties that arose with the recent national elections. Peaceful protests and efforts to shape a more democratic society are both impressive and inspiring. Nonviolence is the way to lasting peace and political accord. 

We are also encouraged by the prayerful response of the Ukrainian people during this most trying time, particularly among the young. For so many decades the Church in Ukraine suffered and was silenced. We hope this public demonstration of religious belief and spirituality will help lead to a just and peaceful resolution of this situation. 

We join you in denouncing the fraudulent misuse of political power to frustrate democracy in the recent elections. These actions, as you stated on November 29, mean that the Ukrainian people "were deprived of their lawful right to a free and fair election." The strong public resistance to this is a sign of a "conscious and responsible civic life." We hope that all Ukrainians will join you in your effort to seek a better future for Ukraine. 

I assure you of our solidarity and our continuing prayers for a just and peaceful resolution based on a clear respect for the will of the Ukrainian people. 

Fraternally yours,  

Most Reverend William S. Skylstad
Bishop of Spokane
President