Nearly 100 parishes lost to Russian occupation, Ukrainian Catholic leader says

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The Orthodox church in Chernihiv Ukraine was destroyed by an aerial bomb (Photo by Anzhela Bets on Unsplash)

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church asked in a television interview, “Who today is speaking up for the rights of believers there? We have lost nearly a hundred of our parishes.”

Newsroom (04/06/2025 10:55 , Gaudium PressIn a forceful address, the Primate of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) condemned ongoing peace negotiations for their failure to address fundamental human rights, particularly religious freedom and Ukraine’s very right to exist as a sovereign nation.

“If Russia Denies Ukraine’s Existence, Who Are They Negotiating With?”

His Beatitude underscored the absurdity of diplomatic talks with a power that refuses to acknowledge Ukraine’s legitimacy:

“If the Russians do not recognize the subjectivity of our people—if they deny our right to exist—then there is no one to negotiate with. We saw this in 2022: Moscow dismissed Ukrainian representatives as illegitimate because, in their view, Ukraine has no right to statehood. But if Ukraine ‘does not exist,’ what peace can possibly be negotiated?”

Silence on Religious Persecution in Occupied Territories

The Church leader highlighted the systematic repression faced by believers in Russian-occupied regions, where the UGCC has lost nearly 100 parishes:

“Who will defend the right of our faithful to practice the faith of their ancestors? Who will demand restitution—not just for destroyed churches, but for the moral and spiritual harm inflicted? These are not abstract losses; they are violations of natural law and human dignity.”

No Peace Without Justice

Invoking Pope Leo XIII’s principle that “peace must be dignified,” the Primate insisted:

“True peace requires justice and accountability. The aggressor must be held responsible. Without this, any ‘agreement’ would merely reward violence and erase crimes. Those pressuring Ukraine to concede must first recognize the dignity of our people—their right to live freely on their own land, without fear of bombs, occupation, or cultural annihilation.”

A Call for Moral Clarity

The statement serves as both a denunciation of Russia’s ideological war—which seeks to negate Ukrainian identity—and a challenge to the international community:

“Dignified peace is not surrender. It is the assurance that our children will inherit a Ukraine where rights are sacred, where no foreign power dictates whether we may worship or even exist.”

As negotiations continue, the UGCC’s stance echoes a broader demand: No peace built on injustice can last.

  • Raju Hasmukh with files from UGCC

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