The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church criticized a bill that undermined the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies. Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk stated the law created social tensions and undermined public trust. Protests occurred in Kyiv and other cities, urging President Zelenskyy to veto the bill. Zelenskyy initially signed the bill but later submitted a new one to restore the independence of the anti-corruption bodies. Shevchuk described corruption as a crime against Ukraine and expressed outrage over the law's passage.
5 months ago
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, has publicly criticized a recently passed bill that threatened the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies 2. This criticism comes amidst a significant policy reversal by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the controversial legislation 2.
Ukraine's parliament endorsed Bill 12414, which aimed to alter the status of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), effectively ending their independence 2. President Zelenskyy initially signed this bill into law, asserting that the changes were necessary to remove "Russian influence" from the nation's anti-corruption infrastructure 2. However, facing intense domestic and international pressure, Zelenskyy subsequently submitted a new bill to parliament to restore the independence of these bodies and introduce safeguards against Russian interference, with lawmakers set to discuss it on July 31 2.
Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk's intervention is particularly notable given his emergence as a significant moral authority in Ukraine since the 2022 full-scale Russian invasion 2. In a July 27 video message, Shevchuk stated that the law's passage had "created dangerous social tensions, undermining public trust in the authorities and shaking the confidence of our international partners" 2. He condemned corruption as a "crime against Ukraine" and "moral sabotage" against the state, its defense capabilities, and the resilience of the Ukrainian people 2. Shevchuk emphasized that combating corruption is integral to Ukraine's European alignment and fulfills a demand of those killed during the 2014 protests, which he described as laying the "moral foundation for Ukraine’s modern development" 2.
The passage of Bill 12414 sparked protests in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on July 22, with demonstrators demanding a presidential veto 2. Shevchuk praised young people for being at the forefront of these protests 2. He urged both society and leaders to engage in dialogue, listen to one another, and cooperate, cautioning against internal strife that could weaken national defense 2. He also advised prudence, so that "righteous indignation does not inadvertently harm Ukraine’s ability to defend itself" 2.
Corruption remains a persistent challenge in Ukraine, which was ranked 105th out of 180 countries on Transparency International's 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index 2. Despite this, the country has shown some progress in its anti-corruption efforts 2. The controversy surrounding Bill 12414 highlights the ongoing struggle to maintain independent anti-corruption institutions crucial for both domestic trust and international partnerships 2.
What is the Church's stance on corruption?
The Catholic Church views corruption as a grave moral evil and a sin that significantly harms society . It is considered a dangerous phenomenon that undermines social and political development, leading to a loss of trust in institutions and disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable members of society .
Corruption is understood as a self-interested abuse of state authority, often manifesting as bribery and the misuse of public funds . It deforms social relations and can indicate the moral state of society as a whole . The Church identifies various forms of corruption, including:
Corruption is seen as a "death process" that ends life and is a greater ill than sin, requiring treatment rather than just forgiveness . Its consequences include:
The Church emphasizes its significant role in combating corruption, primarily through the formation of conscience and the evangelization of culture .
In summary, the Church unequivocally condemns corruption as a grave sin and a destructive force in society, calling for a concerted effort from individuals, authorities, and the Church itself to eradicate it through moral formation, transparency, and active participation of the faithful in public life.