The Council of Ukrainian Christian Churches of Washington State understands the Ukrainian parliament's decision to restrict the propagation of the chauvinistic ideology of the “Russkiy mir” (Russian world) and to ban the activities of religious organizations in Ukraine that remain under the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church and other Russian religious centers controlled by the Kremlin. Ukrainian society has been longing for such decisive actions by the state leadership aimed at protecting religious freedom in Ukraine from abuse in the face of Russia’s ongoing genocide of the Ukrainian people during its full-scale armed aggression.
We are aware that religious freedom’s value for sustainable peace and security cannot be understated. At the same time, nobody has to ignore the fact that Russia systematically uses religion and Russian religious centers of various denominations, primarily the Russian Orthodox Church, as a tool of propaganda to achieve its military and geopolitical goals. In response to this threat, the initiatives of the Ukrainian leadership and the law adopted on August 20, 2024, aimed at encouraging all religious organizations in Ukraine to break off any relations with Russian religious centers, given their dependence on the Russian authorities and special services.
Besides, we call on the Ukrainian government and courts to implement the adopted law impartially, qualifiedly, and according to legal procedures. All religious organizations that have taken all measures to sever ties with Russian religious centers should be allowed to continue their activities in Ukraine.
Ukrainian diaspora churches in the United States are convinced that it is vital for Ukraine to continue adhering to international religious freedom standards and to implement the constitutional principle of separation of church and state. In our opinion, implementing the adopted law should not lead to forming a state church, so as not to harm religious pluralism in Ukraine and the equality of all faiths and religious organizations before the law, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
In the international arena, Ukraine should continue to be an example of a country where believers of all faiths, both religious majority and religious minorities, feel equally welcome. For our part, we continue to pray and practically support the people of Ukraine in their liberation struggle for independence, sovereignty, democracy, and freedom!
August 23, 2024, Washington State.
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