From its very inception the Church’s proclamation of the Gospel has centred on defending human life from conception to natural death. However, our life does not end with the conclusion of our earthly journey; there is more to it than our life in the visible, material world.
We should do all we can so that those who are ill, suffering, or dying always experience respect for their human dignity even in the most challenging moments of their life.
Unfortunately, in Ukraine and throughout the world, there abound various theories that deny the dignity of those who are sick, infirm or dying. Even Plato said that if someone is ill they need not be healed, rather they should be left to die. Clearly this contradicts Christian mercy and the call to love our neighbour.
Patriarchs Svyatoslav (UGCC, pictured on left) and Filaret (UOC-KP) issued a common appeal on September 25th for the citizens of Sambir in western Ukraine to support the establishment of a memorial at the former Jewish cemetery in the city.