Members of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches meet with G7 ambassadors

This was reported on the website of the UCCRO.

The heads and authorised representatives of the denominations told the G7 ambassadors about the crimes of the Russian Federation in the religious sphere of Ukraine, including religious persecution in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, destruction and damage to church buildings, etc. The conversation also touched upon the issues of legislative protection of freedom of religion from hostile foreign interference and the use of trust in religion as a tool in hybrid aggression against Ukraine.

During the meeting, the heads and authorised representatives of the denominations also told the ambassadors about the role of Ukrainian churches and religious organisations in the context of Ukraine's countering Russian aggression and about the activities of religious communities in the spiritual, humanitarian and social spheres. The conversation also focused on the challenges faced by churches during the war. In particular, the parties touched upon the clergy's status and religious communities' activities in the context of chaplaincy and mobilisation activities.

It was noted that despite the martial law, fundamental human rights and freedoms are generally ensured in Ukraine, and democratic institutions and courts operate. At the same time, problematic issues require dialogue and coordinated decisions between the denominations and the authorities.

The UCCRO-G7 Ambassadors' meeting was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy Pier Francesco Zazo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan Matsuda Kuninori, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France Gael Veseyer and Chargés d'Affaires of the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Canada and the European Union. The UCCRO was represented by the Chairman of the UCCRO, President of the UBS, Hryhoriy Komendant, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine of the OCU, Head of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk, and Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytskyi of the RCC, Senior Bishop Anatoliy Kozachok of the Ukrainian Christian Evangelical Church, Grand Mufti of Ukraine Ahmed Tamim, Bishop Stanislav Nosov of the Seventh-day Adventist Churches of Ukraine, Senior Bishop Leonid Padun of the Ukrainian Christian Evangelical Church, Bishop Markos Ohanesian of the UD AAC and other representatives of churches and religious organisations.