Below is a statement issued by the Ukrainian Catholic Hierarchy of the U.S.A. on the events of January 6.
As Christians, on the Feast of the Theophany, we continue to celebrate and welcome the Emmanuel – “God is with us,” the Prince of Peace, “the Beloved Son of the Father,” who calls us all to be His sisters and brothers in the Father’s house. But as a nation, today, we witness an appalling assault on the central seat and process of American democracy which must stop.
Criminal trespassing, menacing break-in, and the intimidation of senators and members of Congress is unconscionable.
Any use of Jesus’ name to justify this violent behavior and chaos is a travesty of the Gospel.
There is nothing Christian about it.
Americans bear a great responsibility for the future of democracy in the world.
American leaders, first of all the president of the United States, must do everything in their power to reestablish peace and the rule of law.
There is much injustice in our land. There is much anger. No injustice will be remedied by violence.
We ask all of our priests, religious, and faithful to pray for the future of our country, to call for repentance, to witness to the integrity of the Gospel of our Lord, and begin the difficult work of rebuilding the unity of America.
We are called to help all people hear and believe the fundamental truth of Theophany – that each person is a “beloved son or daughter of the Father.”
We have a long road ahead of us.
Let us return to a motto of the founders of our country: “In God we trust.”
+ Borys Gudziak
Archbishop of Philadelphia and Metropolitan of Ukrainian Catholics
in the United States
+ Paul Chomnycky
Bishop of Stamford
+ Benedict Aleksiychuk
Bishop of St. Nicholas Eparchy in Chicago
+ Bohdan Danylo
Bishop of St. Josaphat Eparchy in Parma
+ Andriy Rabiy
Auxiliary Bishop of the Philadelphia Archeparchy
January 6, 2021