10.01.2008, [10:47] // UAOC // RISU.ORG.UA
Buchanan, New York U.S. – Bishop Paul Peter Jesep of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC), appointed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Myfodii of Kyiv and All Ukraine to serve as spokesperson in the United States, issued a statement on 4 January 2008 condemning the United Fatherland and the Union of Orthodox Citizens of Ukraine for recently distributing anti-Semitic pamphlets at Russian Orthodox churches in Odessa. The literature advocated for pogroms that murder Jewish-Ukrainians.
"President Viktor Yushchenko," said Bishop Paul Peter, "must remain vigilant in his efforts to stop the violence against fellow countrymen. Not only must there be an immediate end to this injustice, but the President must implement a long-term program that educates all citizens about the evils of anti-Semitism and every other kind of hate. No Jewish sister and brother or anyone subject to abuse must ever stand alone."
Bishop Paul Peter added, "The moral authority of all Orthodoxy must be behind the President's efforts to end hatred, bigotry, and discrimination. The outrageous actions of the United Fatherland and the Union of Orthodox Citizens of Ukraine must be condemned by every branch of the Orthodox Church. There is no excuse to remain silent in the Ukrainian Motherland or in the Diaspora regarding this moral outrage. Complacency is unacceptable."