Metropolitan Luke called for an end to internal strife that weakens the Church

Metropolitan Luka of Zaporizhzhya and Melitopol has issued an address in which he called for an end to internal disputes and disagreements within the Church, emphasizing that they weaken the unity of believers and serve the interests of its opponents. In his publication in his personal Telegram channel, he noted that mutual recriminations distract from real challenges, such as the expansion of Catholicism, and create the ground for schism.

As an example, the hierarch cited the situation around Bishop Theodosius, who, he said, was subjected to «incredible harassment» after participating in the dialog. Metropolitan Luke noted that his own attempt to defend his colleague also caused a wave of criticism that spread to others. In his opinion, the opponents deliberately shifted the focus from the main issue to secondary details and resorted to personal attacks because of the weakness of their arguments, using «the same phrases and formulaic formulations.»

The Metropolitan also clarified his words about the «all-consuming power of fear,» stating that they were not intended to insult specific individuals, but to denounce sin, which «deprives man of his freedom in Christ and reduces him to the state of a slave, trembling for his well-being.» He expressed his pain at the fact that people, «created to be sons of God, should not be led by fear.»

In conclusion, Metropolitan Luke appealed to the conscience of the disputants with the question, «Why bring internal disputes to the outside? For what do we harden ourselves?». He emphasized that public «squabbles» of bishops cause bewilderment among the flock and joy among the enemies of the Church. «Unity in Christ is the strength of the Church and the main witness to the world!» he concluded, calling for the creation and preservation of peace.