Polish and Ukrainian Clergy Issue Joint Appeal Against Rising Hostility

Senior Polish and Ukrainian church leaders have published a formal declaration from Rome and Kyiv, urging their nations to abandon inflammatory rhetoric and embrace reconciliation in the spirit of Christian solidarity.

A Call for Disarmament of Language

In a joint statement released via the Archdiocese of Krakow, senior clergy—including Cardinals Mykola Bychok, Konrad Krajewski, Kazimierz Nycz, Grzegorz Ryś, and Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk—expressed deep concern over rising tensions between Poles and Ukrainians. They argue that the quality of these bilateral relations is essential to the credibility of their shared Christian witness.

Drawing on the teachings of Pope Leo XIV, the hierarchs emphasized that the first step toward peace is the “disarmament of language.” This mandate extends beyond mere words to include gestures, symbols, and signs, which can easily be weaponized to provoke fear or hinder dialogue.

Historical Memory and the Path to Forgiveness

The signatories invoked the 2003 words of John Paul II, urging both nations to move beyond the “sad memories of the past” and reject the cycle of reciprocal grievances. They noted that focusing obsessively on the evils committed by others serves only to poison the present.

Citing Pope Francis, the leaders distinguished between positive memory, which celebrates divine grace, and negative memory, which fixates on the transgressions of others. They maintained that both nations share too much common heritage to allow it to be discarded in favor of modern cultural trends that prioritize force over reconciliation.

Moral Responsibility Amid War

The document was finalized following an extraordinary consistory in Rome, where 178 cardinals from around the world gathered. The signatories expressed regret that these hostilities are resurfacing during Ukraine’s ongoing war and shortly after the 25th anniversary of John Paul II’s visit to Ukraine.

Concluding their appeal, the clergy asserted that forgiveness remains the only true remedy for sin. They urged both populations to move away from narrow, particular interests and instead adopt a vision centered on the common good, guided by the mercy that defines their faith.