WERE THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE'S RIGHTS ACKNOWLEDGE DURING THE UKRAINE CRISIS?

IMPORTANT EVENTS

• November 21, 2013: President Yankovich ends trade agreement with the European Union
• January-February 2014: Riots occur throughout Ukraine especially in Crimea and Kiev
• March 1, 2014: Russian Upper House approves the request by Pres. Putin to use military in Ukraine
• March 6, 2014; Crimea's parliment votes unanimously in favor of joining Russia
• March 18, 2014: Putin signs treaty making Crimea part of Russia

"Over the centuries, Catholics in Ukraine have been severely persecuted, and Catholicism even outlawed. For this reason, we raise our voice in defense of religious liberty in Ukraine, a liberty further threatened by the invasive actions occurring in the country. " (Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, President of USCCB)

THE CHALLENGE OF PEACE

• The United States Catholic Bishops statement and letter of Christian teaching on war in 1983
• Discusses morality of war and expresses general principles about war
• "Catholic teaching begins in every case with a presumption against war and for peaceful settlement of disputes"
• The bishops believe there are two options in working peace: to resist bearing arms or to bear arms
• It is important to remember that both options agree on the task, even though in disagreement

CHALLENGE OF PEACE CONT.

• "A brief statement of war and peace in Scripture does not provide us the answers to the questions we face today"
• Even though the Bible does not give us answers about war, it directs us toward peace

"Together with my brother bishops, I ask U.S. Catholic communities, gathering for the beginning of Lent on Wednesday, to pray for a peaceful resolution of this crisis, one that secures the just and fundamental human rights of a long-suffering, oppressed people." (Archbishop Kurtz)

"He brings peace to your borders,
and satisfies you with finest wheat.
He sends his command to earth;
his word runs swiftly" (Psalm 147: 14-15)

I believe that the rights of Ukrainian Catholics and people were not acknowledged in the Crisis of Ukraine. I believe there should have been a vote among the people of Crimea to decide whether or not the region should be a part of Russia