UGCC Head in Week 191 of the War: The Post-War Slogan “Never Again” Begins to Fade
Politicians, public figures, and Church leaders have done everything in their power to ensure that the horrors of war are never repeated. Sadly, this fear is now beginning to fade. This was stated by His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, in his traditional video address during the 191st week of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
His Beatitude noted that Russia had launched one of its most severe attacks, particularly on Kyiv, and is now systematically destroying Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. On Thursday, the capital experienced a partial blackout. Major cities were left without electricity and water supply, turning civilian life into a real hell. People died once again — among them children. In Kyiv alone, there were about 20 victims. And all this happened in a single day — October 10.
The Head of the Church emphasized: “Today, we want the world to hear: at a time when the leaders of states, even in Russia, are negotiating peace, an unprecedented escalation of war is unfolding.”
At the same time, His Beatitude Sviatoslav shared with the audience an important event in the life of the European Catholic Church: the annual general assembly of the presidents of the European Episcopal Conferences, which convened at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima near the site of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The leaders of the Catholic episcopates of all European countries gathered to reflect on the challenges facing believers and to offer words of hope to the Christians of Europe.
According to the Head of the Church, Ukraine was in the spotlight at this year’s assembly: “Everyone was moved by the report of Archbishop Crociata, head of the COMECE Commission, the Catholic Church’s representative body to the European Union. His Eminence noted that the post-war generation, which remembered the horrors of World War II, is passing away. The slogan of a united Europe at that time was: ‘Never again…’”
Read also:
Video Message of the Head of the UGCC on the 191st Week of the Full-Scale War, October 12, 2025
“Today, in the political circles of European countries,” said the spiritual leader of Ukrainians, “slogans such as ‘we can repeat it’ are becoming increasingly common. The word ‘war’ is often associated with computer games or political battles. And sympathy for aggressive language, extreme positions, polarization, and hatred, unfortunately, brings political dividends. Therefore, Christians in Europe must now be especially vigilant. The war in Ukraine is becoming a civilizational challenge for the entire Europe.”
The UGCC Department for Information
