The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church
and other Catholic leaders condemned police violence against "peaceful
demonstrations" after President Viktor Yanukovich's decision not to seek
closer ties with the European Union.
Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, of Kiev-Halych, major archbishop of
the Ukrainian Catholic Church, also spoke of preventing an "escalation
of violence, which could lead to even more tragic consequences."
"We must not respond to violence with violence and evil with evil," he said.
Demonstrators barricaded Kiev's Independence Square and urged a
general strike to protest the president's withdrawal from an EU
association agreement, which was to have been signed at a Nov. 28-29
summit in Lithuania.
Ukraine's Council of Churches and Religious Organizations also urged citizens to remember "violence begets violence."
"Law enforcement agencies need to protect public order and promote
the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression," the
council said in a statement.
"Radicalization of these protests can only harm the people and
national interests of Ukraine. In a civilized society like Ukraine, we
must learn to express different views on social issues in a peaceful
manner and through dialogue," the council said.
Protesters blockaded the Cabinet office and other official buildings
in the capital Dec. 2, demanding the resignation of Yanukovich and his
prime minister, Mykola Azarov.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian newspapers reported police reinforcements were
being sent to Kiev after weekend street clashes left at least 100 police
and 165 opposition supporters injured.
In a Nov. 30 statement, Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, Shevchuk's
predecessor, criticized the president for backtracking on the agreement,
which is strongly opposed by neighbouring Russia. However, the cardinal
said "people power" required "peaceful, coherent, joint activities,"
rather than violence.
Ukraine's Catholic University accused the government of "sending
hired thugs" to "fuel a body confrontation" Dec. 1 in front of Kiev's
presidential palace, but warned protesters against revenge, "no matter
how strong the motivation is."
"The consequences of the actions of both sides are the same: an
encroachment on peaceful protests by a million people throughout
Ukraine," the Lviv-based university said in a Dec. 2 statement.
"The
present time does not require an elite which cynically robs the people,
nor seekers of revenge wishing harm to their enemies, but people willing
to serve by establishing peace, harmony and prosperity."
The association agreement, establishing a Ukraine-EU free-trade zone,
was approved in September by the government, which pledged Ukraine
would meet required "standards of democracy and human rights."