Senate Resolution 9

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION JOINING THE BISHOP OF BILOXI IN WELCOMING BISHOP VITALIY KRYVYTSKYI OF KYIV-ZHYTOMYR IN WESTERN KYIV, UKRAINE, TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI ON THE OCCASION OF THE VIGIL MASS CELEBRATED IN HIS HONOR ON JANUARY 14, 2023, AND OFFERING OUR CONTINUED PRAYERFUL SUPPORT FOR HIS PARISHIONERS AND HIS COUNTRY IN THE SPIRIT OF INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP, UNDERSTANDING AND MUTUAL RESPECT OF OUR CULTURES.

WHEREAS, on January 14, 2023, a Vigil Mass will be celebrated at Our Lay of the Gulf Church in Bay St. Louis to welcome and in honor of Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytskyi, Bishop of Kyiv-Zhytomyr in Western Kyiv, Ukraine; and

WHEREAS, we reaffirm the State of Mississippi's unwavering belief in the principles of international law and in the right of sovereign regions in the Ukraine to be respected and safe within their established borders, independent and self-governing and free to follow their own values and build their own future; and

WHEREAS, this sentiment was evidenced under the provisions of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 563 (2022 Regular Session) under which the Mississippi Legislature condemned the invasion targeting numerous cities in Ukraine, which has been met with widespread international shock and disapproval; and

WHEREAS, this sentiment was further evidenced by the naming of the Province of Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Ukraine as a partner with the State of Mississippi under the "Sister City International Program" in April 2022; and

WHEREAS, in welcoming Bishop Kryvytskyi to our state, we offer our continued prayerful support for his parishioners and his country in their defense of sovereignty and democracy following the Russian invasion and brutal unprovoked attack on their nation:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby join the Bishop of Biloxi in welcoming Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytskyi of Kyiv-Zhytomyr in Western Kyiv, Ukraine, to the State of Mississippi on the occasion of the Vigil Mass celebrated in his honor on January 14, 2023, and offer our continued prayerful support for his parishioners and his country in the spirit of international friendship, understanding and mutual respect of our cultures.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytskyi, Bishop of Kyiv-Zhytomyr, Ukraine; forwarded to the Most Reverend Louis F. Kineman, III, Bishop of Biloxi; Pass Christian Mayor R. James Rafferty; Mississippi's Congressional delegation, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.