(ZENIT News / Kiev, 08.30.2024).- As Ukraine faces the 132nd week of its ongoing conflict, the country’s religious landscape has become a critical battleground in the war against Russian aggression. The leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, has underscored the urgency of protecting Ukraine’s religious freedom from the insidious reach of Russian propaganda and a new kind of religious weaponization. His call to action comes at a pivotal moment as the Ukrainian government moves to safeguard its religious communities amid the ongoing conflict.
Weaponizing Religion: A New Front in the War
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the largest Eastern Catholic Church in communion with the Pope, has been vocal in its condemnation of Russia’s tactics. His Beatitude Sviatoslav warned that the Kremlin is exploiting every tool at its disposal—from economic leverage to media manipulation—to wage war not just on the battlefield but within the spiritual domain. He pointed out that Russia has turned even sacred elements into instruments of war, tainting the Christian message with the ideology of the «Russian World» and distorting its meaning for modern believers.
In a significant development this week, the Ukrainian Parliament, the Rada, passed a law aimed at shielding religious freedom from such manipulation by the aggressor state. This legislative move is seen as a vital step in preventing the erosion of religious harmony in Ukraine, ensuring that the country’s diverse religious communities remain free from external interference.
A Unified Voice for Religious Freedom
«We must do everything in our power during this war to prevent the aggressor from violating religious peace and harmony among Ukraine’s churches,» emphasized His Beatitude Sviatoslav. He stressed that the international community must hear the voice of Ukraine’s religious environment, which is committed to safeguarding the religious freedoms and rights of Ukrainian citizens. «We want the world to understand that an independent Ukraine is synonymous with religious freedom, and that Ukraine stands firm, fights, and prays,» he declared.
This call for religious autonomy resonates particularly strongly as Ukraine recently celebrated two significant national holidays: the Day of the Ukrainian Flag and Independence Day. His Beatitude Sviatoslav described Independence Day as not just a national celebration but a deeply personal one for every Ukrainian currently sacrificing for the freedom and independence of their homeland. «This day symbolizes our faith in the future, in which future generations will inherit a free and independent nation,» he said.
A Divisive Law and the International Response
The new legislation has not gone unnoticed by Moscow. The Russian Orthodox Patriarchate, closely aligned with the Kremlin, has publicly criticized the law, accusing it of targeting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which remains in communion with Moscow. They have also pointed fingers at the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, claiming that state officials, politicians, and public figures—along with so-called schismatic organizations—are conspiring against the Orthodox Church in Ukraine.
In a recent address, Pope Francis expressed his support for religious freedom in Ukraine, further complicating the already tense religious dynamic in the region. His stance, though intended to support Ukraine’s religious liberty, contrasts sharply with the criticisms emanating from the Russian Orthodox Church, highlighting the complex interplay between global religious leadership and local religious tensions.
Prayers for the Future
As Ukraine continues its struggle for sovereignty, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church remains steadfast in its prayers for the nation. His Beatitude Sviatoslav urged the faithful to remember in their prayers the generations who have fought for Ukraine’s statehood, as well as the men and women currently on the front lines defending that freedom at great personal cost. «We pray that God blesses Ukraine, its government, its military, and its people,» he concluded, offering a message of hope and resilience amid the ongoing turmoil.
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