The Head of the UGCC meets with Scholz and refutes myths about Ukraine spread by Moscow propaganda

12 September, 14:00

On September 11, 2024, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in the office of the Head of the Federal Government in Berlin.

The meeting was also attended by Bishop Bohdan Dziurakh, Head of the Ukrainian Catholic Apostolic Exarchate of Germany and Scandinavia, Bishop Georg Bätzing, Chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, and Prelate Dr. Karl Justen, Head of the Catholic Commissariat in Berlin, the UGCC Information Department reports.

During the meeting, the Head of the UGCC expressed his sincere gratitude to the Chancellor of Germany for the comprehensive assistance the Ukrainian people received from the German government and people during Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. His Beatitude Sviatoslav also noted Germany's support in accepting more than 1 million 200 thousand Ukrainian refugees and providing them with the necessary social protection.

The Head of the UGCC also told Scholz about the role of churches and religious organizations in the spiritual support of Ukrainians in times of war, both in Ukraine and abroad. The Primate emphasized that the Churches are an integral part of the civil society of Ukraine and its voice in Germany “is the voice of ordinary Ukrainians, the voice of those who have been deprived of their voice.” His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that it is his duty to convey to the Chancellor the pain, suffering and hopes of the Ukrainian people, and also to “refute the myths about Ukraine spread by Moscow propaganda, which cause fear in the hearts of the leaders of the German state and prevent it from doing more for Ukraine.”

For his part, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz assured His Beatitude of further support and assistance to Ukraine. “We will help as long as necessary,” he said. At the same time, the Head of the Federal Government drew attention to certain difficulties related to internal political processes in Germany, noting that there are voices in the country that do not share the position of the government coalition on assistance to Ukraine. However, as the Chancellor emphasized, the government will not fear these critical voices, for “Ukrainians are defending democracy and the free world from the Russian totalitarian regime.”

The Head of the UGCC meets with Scholz and refutes myths about Ukraine spread by Moscow propaganda - фото 139867

The church and state leaders also discussed the integration of Ukrainians into German society, including their employment. The German Chancellor noted that Ukrainians who are already working reduce the burden on the state budget and contribute to the improvement of the German economy. The parties agreed that conditions should be created to facilitate the employment of Ukrainians. The active participation of Ukrainians in the economic development of Germany will be an additional argument for increasing German aid to Ukraine.

In addition, the parties discussed church-state relations in Ukraine, including the protection of churches and religious organizations from possible dangers of instrumentalization and militarization by the aggressor state.

Tags: #Germany #Sviatoslav (Shevchuk) #Olaf Scholz #Bohdan (Dzyurakh)