Ukraine’s social and political harmony has been greatly threatened after last week’s disputed presidential vote. Not only have European countries and world political leaders shown their concern about the crisis, but also Christians and Catholics have responded vigorously to the issue.

The Russian-backed Ukrainian Prime Minister, Viktor Yanukovych was announced as the winner of the vote last week. However, the United States and other Western nations have said that numerous frauds were committed by the authorities and allies of the outgoing President Leonid Kuchma and Yanukovych during the election.

The OSCE, the United States of America, the European Union, the Council of Europe and NATO have strongly criticised the Ukrainian authorities. Even worse, there is a possibility of international sanctions being applied against Ukraine and even a risk of international isolation. The Ukrainian general public has been outraged by the election result and has launched massive protests on the streets in the Capital, Kiev.

Christians and Catholics, however, have generally discouraged all the radical actions taken against the Ukrainian government. The Parliamentary Group of the Christian Democratic People’s Party of Moldova issued a statement saying it was "deeply concerned with the critical situation in Ukraine that occurred as the result of unfair and unfree presidential elections."

It appeals "the current government in Kiev to restrain from using force against peaceful manifestations and to accept the transfer of power towards legally elected President Mr. Viktor Yushchenko."

"This major political crisis in Ukraine will be shortly and successfully solved. We are confident that legitimacy, democracy and the will of the Ukrainian people, expressed in the Presidential elections, will triumph," it added.

Yesterday, during his weekly address from a window at St. Peter’s Square, the Pope John Paul II told the crowd that his thoughts were with the Ukrainians at present.

"I assure them of my prayers for peace in their country," the pontiff said.