Bishops of the UGCC and ROC call on authorities not to close churches and effectively use funds to overcome the pandemic

The appeal was distributed on November 9 by the UGCC Information Department.

The bishops appeal to the authorities to respect the right of Ukrainian citizens to freely perform joint acts of worship in religious buildings and premises and guarantee the possibility of continuous operation of these structures: at the same time, restrictions should be imposed in rooms without stationary seats and on the street, not because of the permissible number of people, but because of the requirement to observe a safe physical distance.

"We hope that in the future the actions of our state authorities will be characterized by appropriate efficiency, will be the result of solid expert research and professional conclusions, the purpose of which will be to protect the health of every citizen and support the most vulnerable groups of our society. Separately, we want to emphasize the need to assure special control over the targeted and effective use of each Hryvnia allocated from the state budget to overcome the consequences of the pandemic, because each of them is worth no more and no less – the lives of our fellow citizens," the bishops wrote.

They thanked the faithful for strictly adhering to quarantine regulations and showed a decent civic position.

The pastors were thanked for the fact that they do not reduce their spiritual zeal under quarantine restrictions.

Doctors were thanked for their sacrificial service to protect the health and lives of patients affected by coronavirus disease.