Ukrainian cardinals join appeal against proposed religious legislation

Published: 2003-10-08

WARSAW, Poland (CNS) -- Ukraine's two cardinals have joined other Christian leaders in an appeal to the Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly against new legislation to restrict religious activity. "These amendments are plainly unjust in a pluralistic democracy," said Auxiliary Bishop Marian Buczek of Lviv, Ukraine. "If we hope to be part of Europe, all faiths must be free, especially traditional ones like the Catholic Church." The bishop spoke after a joint appeal by Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant leaders called on the assembly to determine if the Ukrainian government-backed amendments "meet European standards and requirements." Grouping more than 600 representatives from 44 national parliaments in Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly can issue guidelines to governments and legislatures in response to local appeals from around the continent, as well as recommendations, resolutions and orders to European institutions. Although not legally binding, its decisions carry moral force and can be backed up with requests for Council of Europe sanctions and interventions if national bodies fail to comply.

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