Catholic leaders urge Poland and Ukraine to pursue reconciliation, disarm language

Catholic leaders from Poland and Ukraine have issued a rare joint appeal for reconciliation between their nations, urging both peoples to reject hostility, embrace forgiveness, and preserve the Christian bonds that unite them despite growing political and historical tensions.

The statement, released June 29 from Rome and Kyiv, was signed by Cardinals Mykola Bychok, Konrad Krajewski, Kazimierz Nycz, and Grzegorz Ryś, together with Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The appeal was issued while the cardinals were gathered in Rome for the recent consistory.

Opening their message, the Church leaders said they were speaking “in unity with Holy Father Leo XIV,” whose first year as pope “has been marked by persistent work to build peace based on the common good and by resolute opposition to war in all its dimensions.”

The signatories said the question of reconciliation between Poland and Ukraine extends beyond politics.

“We are aware that the question of reconciliation between Poles and Ukrainians concerns not only relations between the two peoples but also the authenticity of our common Christian witness,” they wrote.

The appeal…