Monday, July 16, 2012

Pat. Kirill Dedicates Church Near Massacre Site; Thousands of Poles Murdered in Katyn by Stalin

The Catholic Culture website reports today (July 16, 2012) that Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill dedicated an Orthodox Church yesterday at the site of the Katyn massacre, and acknowledged the Soviet execution of thousands of Poles, saying "finally, the truth prevailed over lies."

In 1940 -- on orders by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin -- Soviet troops shot many thousands of unarmed Polish military officers and civilians, and left them buried in Katyn Forest.

For 50 years, the Soviet government denied the slaughter, but in 1991 -- with the collapse of the Soviet Union -- Russian leaders finally acknowledged the deaths.

Yesterday, Patriarch Kirill -- appealing for reconciliation between Poland and Russia -- said, "The Katyn tragedy united Russians and Poles, and the two people should always remain brothers," as he dedicated the Church of the Resurrection in Katyn.

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