Prague Archbishop implicitly criticises Pope over Ukraine

 The concerns of many people in Central and Eastern European countries about Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine have been articulated by Prague Archbishop Jan Graubner (73). "The post-communist countries fear that if the Russians conquer Ukraine, they will try to re-establish their domination of the entire 'Eastern Bloc'," the Czech Bishops' Conference president explained in an article in the current "Sonntagsblatt" of the Diocese of Graz-Seckau (issue 21 August). The world's silence on the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 was a mistake, Graubner said. "Since nothing visible happened, the Russians could dare to invade Ukraine.

For the Czechs, the war in Ukraine is not only close from a geographical point of view, he said. His NATO-affiliated homeland is actively helping refugees and also arming Ukraine's troops, the Prague archbishop explained. "The lack of a unified position on the economic blockade of the current Russia is we think a mistake."

"The more we become aware of the weakness of diplomacy and the horror of the violence of war, the more we trust in the help of God," Graubner continued. One prays, "for the conversion of human hearts, for the gift of God's peace for Ukraine, for the peaceful development of Russia and for the restoration of international cooperation."

Jan Graubner took office as the new Archbishop of Prague in July. At the beginning of August, as a member of the Focolare Movement, he took part in an international meeting of Bishops at the church education centre if Schloss Seggau in Styria.

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