Uniate Chieftain Calls on Ukrainian churches to Return to “Primitive Unity”

St Sophia Cathedral in Kiev… may it be spared Uniate desecration, please God.

______________________________

Uniate chieftain Lyubomir Husar called for the unification of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the self-proclaimed “Patriarchate of Kiev” and Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, as well as the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (sic) in one Ukrainian Local Church. “We desire to see these four branches back in primitive unity. However, this unity will not be the same as in the times of Grand Prince Vladimir”, he said Tuesday at a press conference Kiev. In his opinion, the establishment of a united church of Kiev would occur via cooperation, they’d need to combine the faith and traditions of each of the branches. “We’re all equal … The only way that we can be one is through the holy faith. Nevertheless, these developments, traditions, and customs are secondary. We must learn to be charitable to each other, be forbearing, and not insist that we must all become like one or another branch”, the Uniate chieftain said. Husar believes that the Patriarch (sic) heading this united Local Church, could belong to any of the four branches, and the spiritual centre of the united Church would be the Cathedral of St Sophia in Kiev. The so-called “Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church” arose in 1596 through the Union of Brest. The Orthodox Church in the Polish Rzeczpospolita joined the Catholics through their recognition of the primacy of the Pope of the Rome and acceptance of all Roman Catholic theological innovations, but they kept their Orthodox rite and externals. The Lvov Council of 1946 abolished the Unia, although it continued to operate illegally in the Western Ukraine and openly abroad. In 1989, the Unia was effectively re-legalised because of diplomatic agreements between Mikhail Gorbachyov and Pope John Paul II.

15 December 2009

Interfax-Religion

http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=33378

Editor’s Note:

Firstly, I can’t believe what a load of syncretistic hooey this is! Put on your waders, it’s deep. Not once did Husar mention that adding the Uniates to the mixture would necessitate the lot of them to bow down before the Pope of Rome and the acceptance of all his non-Christian fancies and heresies. To be sure, there are times that I’d rather deal with Jews and Muslims (or outright atheists) than Uniatism. At least, the former set doesn’t pretend to be Orthodox. In short, Husar’s so-called “olive branch” hides a whip and chains. I’ll not reply to this noisome address. Rather, read the following words of the Holy Synod of the UOC/MP. Attend to them; they’re true and wise, unlike Husar’s syncretistic ramblings.

Whilst expressing its willingness to begin a constructive dialogue with non-canonical church structures, the UOC/MP, however, maintains a principled position on the historical facts of the schism and its initiators. Our position remains unchanged. We believe that, from the standpoint of Orthodox ecclesiology and canon law, the only acceptable model for the resumption of church unity is the unity of all Orthodox Christians in the bosom of the canonical UOC/MP, that is, the return of the rebels from whence they departed.

We’ve not changed our position on who, in fact, seceded from the fullness of the Church, and the terms on how they can reunite with her. The only path to the restoration of unity lies through repentance, that is, through grace, a change of mind, and a shift in one’s way of life. Repentance, to which the Holy Church calls schismatics, isn’t a humiliating procedure of begging for forgiveness, as some may think. Repentance of the laity [amongst the schismatics] would consist in a confession to God of the recognition of the imperfections that caused alienation from God and His Church. The repentance of the leading schismatics would lie in a confession before the whole Church, especially to their followers, of their guilt as “blind guides” (St Matthew 15. 14).

The UOC/MP is ready to forget the wounds inflicted by the schismatics. However, although we sincerely wish the return of our brothers and sisters who are in schism, we don’t have the right to deviate from the canonical tradition of the Orthodox Church. The Church is ready to show mercy and to manifest the Gospel witness of loving the sinner. However, we can’t accept sin as such, that is, a schism actually exists. In order to destroy sin, one doesn’t engage in diplomatic efforts or go to meetings. Only repentance heals sin, and we sincerely hope that our brothers and sisters in the non-canonical church structures, and, especially, their leaders, will find the courage to bring a sincere repentance.

Amen! I would also add that the installation of Patriarch Kirill Gundyaev took place on the feastday of St Mark of Ephesus, a fact that he alluded to in his address on that day. Don’t be fooled by the blandishments of the papists. We can have a false union at Lucifer’s table or true unity at the table of Christ. I choose the latter, what about you? Don’t forget the sacrifice of the Martyr for Church Unity, Fr Gavriil Kostelnik, (murdered by a UPA Uniate thug) and the sufferings of the Confessor of Orthodoxy, Fr Mikhail Shuvar (beaten by Uniates so badly that he was permanently injured).

BMD