Head of UGCC Meets with Head of Trump Administration’s Faith Office on Persecution of Christians in Occupied Territories
On February 20, 2025, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, met with Paula White-Cain, head of the Faith Office, at the White House.
This office was established by President Donald Trump just two weeks earlier, on February 7, with a mandate to “assist faith communities, congregations, and houses of worship in their efforts to strengthen American families, promote their activities and independence, and protect religious freedom.”
According to His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the delegation of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church also included four bishops from the United States: Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan of Philadelphia; Bishop Paul Chomnycky, Eparch of Stamford; Bishop Venedykt Aleksiychuk, Bishop of St. Nicholas Eparchy of Chicago; and Bishop Bohdan Danylo, Bishop of St. Josaphat Eparchy of Parma. They became the first Ukrainian delegation to engage with the head of the newly created office.
“Obviously, we discussed the issue of religious freedom in Ukraine, including the occupied territories. I provided a brief overview of the history of religious freedom in Ukraine following the collapse of the USSR and explained that for Orthodox, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and Muslims alike, the existence of the Ukrainian state guarantees religious freedom. Conversely, a return to the Soviet Union, which Putin seeks to restore, would mean a return to the catacombs and the destruction of our Church,” said the UGCC Head.
The delegation informed Paula White-Cain and her deputy, Jennifer Korn, about the restrictions imposed on religious organizations in the occupied territories, the destruction of churches, and the imprisonment of priests and pastors. “Thanks to the mediation of the Holy See, we secured the release of our Fathers Ivan Levytsky and Bohdan Heleta. However, Protestant pastors have no one to advocate for them at the highest level. That is why I spoke up for them before the head of the office, urging their release,” His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized.
The bishops stressed that any treaty to end the war against Ukraine must include respect for human rights, adherence to international law, and guarantees of religious freedom in the occupied territories. The discussion also touched on the work of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, as well as the humanitarian projects undertaken by churches in Ukraine. Ms. White-Cain underscored the importance of humanitarian efforts.
“We hope that with this office now located directly in the White House, near the President’s office, the new administration’s attention to religious freedom—particularly in Ukraine—will reach the highest level,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The bishops extended an invitation to the head of the Faith Office to visit Ukraine. In response, she proposed maintaining direct communication between the UGCC and the Office to provide additional information and to help convey to a wider American audience that Russian occupation is synonymous with religious persecution across all faiths.
At the conclusion of the meeting, His Beatitude Sviatoslav presented his book-interview, At the Foot of the Cross, co-authored with American Catholic journalist John Burger.
The UGCC Department for Information
