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"Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky" International Scientific Conference |
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 On November 7th,
2005 a special Study Day dedicated to “Metropolitan Andrei Sheptytsky:
the dilemma of humanistic choice in the conditions of totalitarian
regimes” took place in Lvov. The event was held by TKUMA Central Ukrainian Holocaust Foundation (Dnepropetrovsk), Lvov “Holocaust” International Center, with the support of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.
Metropolitan
Andrey Sheptytsky is a contradictory and dramatic figure in the history
of Ukraine during the period of WWII. He opposed Bolsheviks; spoke for
freedom and independence of Ukraine. At a certain period he cooperated
with the Nazi regime to reach this goal. During the years of Lvov
occupation by the Nazi’s he was actively saving Jews. In his sermons
Metropolitan called his congregation to follow his example of saving
Jewish children and to remain human beings in the violent and cruel 20th century.
Miss Lily Stern-Polman
from London, the Jewish woman who was rescued by Metropolitan Andrey
Sheptytsky from Nazi genocide was present at the meeting, where the
historical role of Metropolitan’s figure has been discussed. She came
back to Lvov for the first time after the 60 years of immigration,
delivering an emotional message to the meeting participants.
Yad Vashem refused granting the Righteous Among the Nations title to Sheptytsky, presenting various arguments.Yad Vashem refused granting the Righteous Among the Nations title to Sheptytsky, presen ting various arguments.
Very often Sheptytsky is called “an unacknowledged Righteous Among the Nations”.
Prof. Shimon Redlich from the History
Department of Ben-Gurion University (Israel) is one of the outstanding
historians who support the fact that Metropolitan Sheptytsky should be
granted the Righteous Among the Nations title. Prof. Redlich made a
detailed analysis of all the facts that his opponents use against
granting the Righteous Among the Nations title to Sheptytsky.
As
it was expected, the event awakened a sensitive and contradictory
question of Sheptytsky, which attracted great public attention,
including Ukrainian intelligentsia.
"The Dilemma of humanistic choice in the conditions of totalitarian regime” Round Table took place in the frames of the Study Day with the participation of the outstanding historians.
Press
Conference took place the day before the event, which received a wide
coverage in the mass media of Ukraine, Poland and other countries.
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