Polish Greek Catholic Bishops Address Ukrainians on Volhynia Tragedy Anniversary.

Condolences from Poland's Greek Catholic Bishops

According to Espreso.tv: On the eve of the Day of Remembrance for victims of the Volhynia crime, the Greek Catholic bishops of Poland released a statement expressing their sympathy to the families of those who perished. The message calls for the condemnation of atrocities committed against both nations. It includes the reflections of Archbishop Eugeniusz Popowicz, Bishop Włodzimierz Juszczak, Bishop Arkadiusz Trochanowski, and Bishop Mariusz Dmyterko.

Escalation of the Conflict

June 29 marked an intensification of the Polish-Ukrainian conflict, providing a crucial backdrop for the clergy's statement. The bishops emphasize that

“crimes committed by Ukrainians against Poles, as well as crimes committed by Poles against Ukrainians, must be condemned”

—underscoring the need for justice and remembrance of the past. They also conveyed 'words of sympathy and regret to the families' affected by these tragic events.

Additionally, cardinals Mykola Bychko, Konrad Krajewski, Kazimierz Nycz, Grzegorz Ryś, and the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, urged both peoples to

“stop the war of words and return to the path of dialogue”

. This appeal was presented in Rome and Kyiv on the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul, highlighting the importance of reconciliation and mutual understanding between Ukrainians and Poles amid historical disputes.

This message represents a significant step toward reconciliation between the Ukrainian and Polish nations, especially given today's political and social challenges. The call for condemning crimes on both sides reflects a desire for justice and remembrance, which can serve as a foundation for further dialogue and cooperation. In light of historical conflicts, such initiatives may help strengthen interethnic relations and reduce societal tensions.