Dear Pope Francis, what about Russian persecution of Eastern Catholics?

Let me just start by saying, that, reading these articles, I think a lot of y’all have the wrong impression about me.  Don’t get me wrong, I am in full communion, with the Pope of Rome (unlike SSPX, SSPX are not Catholic).

And, before the Orthobro says anything, the UOC is still perfectly legal in Ukraine.

Before we get started, here's my latest video on LocalsWhy banning the UOC-MP makes sense, Russia's religious persecution of Catholics (especially Eastern Catholics), and the false piety of the Russian Orthodox church

But, this does not mean that I think the Pope is above criticism.  Now, I do think there’s been unfair criticism towards the Pope, but not all that criticism is unjust.

Enter Fr. Jason Charron.  I like him, usually, but even I think he’s been a little harsh on the Pope.  Here’s the thing, though, he’s right on this. Banned Church in Ukraine? (for some reason, the video said it wasn't available...then loaded, YouTube is weird).  

Of course, I probably would have toned down how I said some of the stuff, but, I think, for the most part, he is absolutely right.  Now, Fr. Jason has lived in Ukraine and his wife is Ukrainian.  (Remember, Eastern Catholic priest).  He’s more in touch with that than even me (I have some family in Ukraine, but I don’t really know them, Russia and Belarus, too, which we’re still trying to figure out, on my mom’s side, it’s a bit more obvious, I have Jewish ancestry from Western Ukraine/Eastern Poland, it sure would be nice if some men on my dad’s side would take DNA tests, especially a yDNA one, hint hint, Hovey men)!, as I do have Ukrainian friends (whom I love dearly). 

But why is it that he’s worried about the UOC-MP (which acts as an arm of the Russian government), but not the Russian persecution of Eastern Catholics?  (Which I HAVE discussed, Truth matters)

Pope Francis would have to know about this, given that he was in charge of Eastern Catholics in Argentina, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., so, I don’t think Pope Francis can claim ignorance on this one. 
Now, that’s not to say that I think he’s lying, I don’t.  I just think he has a mistaken idea of “religious freedom”. 

Now, imagine 7th Street First Baptist had a preacher that was a North Korean spy, do you think it would be wise to continue letting him preach, even after he’d been accused of being a spy?

Also, of note, the UOC-MP (really, the Russian Orthodox church in Ukraine), is almost completely a political organ of the Kremlin.  While a lot of the faithful in Ukraine belong to it, it’s important to note that most ethnic Russians and Russian speakers are against the war.  The same war the Patriarch of Moscow supports.  ( Ukrainians want to stay and fight, but don’t see Russian people as the enemy. A remarkable poll from Kyiv), this seems accurate, most of the Ukrainians I talk to are Russian speakers, and are HUGELY Pro-Ukraine, although it’s sad that Russia decided to stay and kill a bunch of civilians, yet western vatnik propaganda still pretends they’re the good guy,What is an Orthobro?)

When you know this, and you know Patriarch Kirill’s background (KGB agent: Patriarch Kirill), then it becomes really hard to stomach people who think Russia is the good guy.  My favourite is when people say “Russia is fighting globalism”, except they’re not, as Putin fits the definition of globalist to a T.  (In fact, I have even pointed this out, Putin the globalist and the NATO boogeyman, I also don’t think those critical of NATO even know what NATO is, or how Non-verbal agreements aren’t binding if there’s no one there to witness them, never mind the fact there never was one).

What does this have to do with the gospel?  Everything. 

For you see, as a Catholic, I am not allowed to preach the gospel in Russia (Law "On freedom of conscience and religious associations", note that it says that the status of Catholics as being recognized is “unclear”, I can flat out tell you that Eastern Catholic are persecuted in Russia and illegally occupied Ukraine, RUSSIA DOES NOT HAVE FREEDOM OF RELIGION).

How exactly do I, as a Catholic, or indeed, my fellow Catholics, follow the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19).

Consider the following verses (have you ever noticed how much I quote Romans in these)?

“For the scripture saith, ‘Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.’ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

How then shall they call on him in whom they had not believed?  and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heart? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

And how shall they preach, except they be sent?  as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things’!

But they have not all obeyed the gospel.  For Esaias saith, Lord, who hate believed in our report?  So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. (Romans 10:1-17, King James Version, because there’s no copyright).

So, my question to you is this, how can a preacher, say an Eastern Catholic bishop or deacon, even be sent in a country where they have no churches?

Now, there ARE Catholic churches in Russia, just, none of them are Eastern Catholic.  As for how they treat Eastern Catholics in occupied territories (because, I guess if you’re a vatnik, then treaties mean nothing), I’ll let you read this, I Understood Why People Go Crazy and Commit Suicide, But Prayer Gave Me Strength — Father Bohdan Geleta

Adam Charles Hovey is the creator of the Catholicism, News, and Whatever community on Locals, and has the weekly Bible study Coffee and Christianity