His Beatitude Sviatoslav attests to the threat of the “Russian world” to American journalists
On November 19, in Kyiv, His Beatitude Sviatoslav met with a group of American journalists who are visiting to Ukraine to see the realities of life during the Russian aggression. During the conversation, the Head of the UGCC called on them to be witnesses to the truth about the war and emphasized the danger of Russian propaganda, the destruction of religious freedom in Russian-occupied territories and the Church’s mission to support the people who are fighting for their lives.
The meeting took place as part of a visit by American conservative journalists organized by the non-governmental organization Razom for Ukraine. The visit will last from November 17 to 21 and aims to acquaint influential US media with the realities of war and life in Ukrainian society.
The delegation includes representatives of leading American publications: The Washington Examiner (Timothy Carney), The Washington Post (Damir Marusic), The Spectator (Ben Clerkin), National Review (Mark Wright), The Washington Free Beacon (Adam Credo), The Lamp and The American Conservative (Nick Roven), Tablet Magazine (Park McDougald).
These journalists shape discourse among the American conservative audience, including the circle close to President Donald Trump, which makes their visit particularly significant.
On behalf of Razom for Ukraine, the delegation was accompanied by Director of Public Relations Daniel Balzon, his deputy Julian Haida, and Deputy Director of Government Relations Oksana Barchuk.
UGCC: a minority that matters to the majority
His Beatitude Sviatoslav spoke about the UGCC as a global Ukrainian Church that preserves the undivided Christian identity of the first millennium. He also noted that, despite the fact that Greek Catholics are a minority in Ukraine, their share has grown from 7.5 % to 12 % of the Ukrainian population in recent years.
The Church’s stance on the war
Responding to a question about the Holy See’s stance, the Head of the UGCC explained the difference between diplomatic and moral neutrality: “The Holy See diplomatically maintains neutrality as the supreme arbiter, but morally supports the wounded Ukrainian people.”
The Head of the Church also gave journalists a copy of the Message of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on War and Just Peace translated into five languages. This document explains in detail the causes of the war, the role of the Holy See, the mission of the Church in the current circumstances, and the paths to a just peace.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav accurately defined the Ukrainian standpoint: “When Russia stops attacking Ukraine, the war will end. When Ukrainians stop defending themselves, we will cease to exist.”
The threat of the “Russian world” and the weaponization of religion
The central topic of the conversation with American journalists was Russian propaganda and the instrumentalization of religion by Russia. The Head of the UGCC drew parallels between the ideology of the “Russian world” and ISIS, highlighting common features: proclaiming oneself the sole bearer of “authentic values”; the legitimization of violence for a “sacred goal”; the promise of forgiveness of sins for those who die in a “holy war.”
“The militarization of the Christian message undermines trust in the Gospel in the modern world,” emphasized His Beatitude Sviatoslav, calling on Christian leaders around the world to condemn this heresy as decisively as the Islamic world condemned the ideology of ISIS.
A word to American Christians
His Beatitude Sviatoslav responded to Russian propaganda arguments common among American audiences.
On “peace without resistance”: The Church considers war a “crime against God and man,” but recognizes the right and duty of the people to self-defense.
On “traditional values”: Russia uses religion as a weapon, and the occupation of Ukraine means the elimination of all Churches except the Russian Orthodox Church. In the history of the UGCC, this was the case in 1839 and 1946, and again in 2022 in the occupied part of the Zaporizhzhia region.
“A free Ukraine means religious freedom for us,” emphasized the Head of the UGCC.
Pastoral care for healing wounds
The Head of the UGCC also described pastoral initiatives aimed at healing the spiritual and psychological trauma of war. According to him, millions of Ukrainians need not only physical but also deep spiritual rehabilitation.
“The future of our nation depends not only on our ability to defend ourselves, but also on our ability to overcome trauma,” the Patriarch is convinced.
On freedom and dignity
In conclusion, His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized the importance of freedom of choice even in times of war: “Christ gave us freedom. And even under the pressure of various types of information and the sounds of air raid sirens, we must make a choice. The mission of Christians is to remain free and be the voice of truth, not succumbing to lies and propaganda.”
The Head of the UGCC called on American journalists to come to Ukraine and testify to the truth about the war in the United States.
The UGCC Department for Information
