Vatican Warns of Danger to the West of Russian Aggression

The Secretary of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, Archbishop Cyril Vasil, SJ, sharply criticized the "hypocritical and conformist attitude" of the West with regard to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and warned of the danger to Europe of Russia's aggressive policy.

"After more than twenty-years of idyllic illusion that the American eagle, the Russian bear, and the new Europe were "neither fish nor fowl," but something "part fish and part fowl" that, together, was supposed to lead humanity by building a common home on both sides of the Atlantic to the Urals or even to Kamchatka. Then, one morning, we all awoke from this rose-coloured dream, rubbing our eyes in disbelief, silently and uneasily watching as a hybrid war by a "brother country" tore apart its neighbour (Ukraine - translator's remark), whose independence and sovereignty had been guaranteed by the great Powers. It was one of those very guarantors that bloodily tore away from the body of our eastern neighbour one piece after another, while the remaining guarantors merely shook their heads indignantly, enforcing decorative sanctions that are as effective as stopping aggressor with soda water. At the very same time, as if watching the weather with calculators in hand, hoping that this winter will not be cold, and allowing the aggressor to pursue his actions. This year, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, a new cold war has begun. If we care only about making our houses warm in the winter, then a new hybrid and the Cold War will not just be cold. It could soon become very hot for all of us."

source: Католицький Оглядач (Catholic Observer)