UCCRO discussed support for Ukraine during the war with the head of the Church of England

According to the website of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO), during the meeting, the spiritual head of the Church of England asked representatives of Ukrainian denominations about the impact of the war on the Church's ministry, the primary challenges, and the Church's expectations for 2024.

Bishop Stanislav Nosov, the chairman of the AUCCRO, expressed gratitude to Archbishop Justin Welby for the support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people by the Church of England and the United Kingdom. He noted that one of the main challenges during the war among the faithful of various denominations and in society as a whole is the separation of families and the associated risks. Additionally, there has been an increase in the number of religious communities in the frontline areas, where people find social support and pastoral care.

Representatives of the UCCRO pointed out that during the military situation in Ukraine, there is freedom of religion, democratic institutions and a judicial system in place, and the Churches have a dialogue with the government in addressing relevant issues of state-church relations and humanitarian problems in society. Representatives of Ukrainian denominations expressed hope for a victorious end to the war this year and readiness to participate in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.

This was the second meeting of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations with Archbishop Justin Welby of Canterbury. The previous meeting took place in December 2022.

Members of the Council of Churches outlined the main areas of support for Ukraine, including humanitarian aspects, providing Ukraine with additional means of personal protective equipment and weapons for the protection of civilian lives, and assistance in post-traumatic rehabilitation.

Representatives from various religious organizations participated in the meeting, including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Church of Evangelical Christians, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate, the German Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ukraine, the Association of Jewish Religious Organizations of Ukraine, and the Institute of Religious Freedom.