The leader of the Young Republicans in the U.S. called the mobilization of the UOC clergy “murder by proxy”

Catherine Whiteford, co-chair of the National Federation of Young Republicans in the U.S., sharply criticized the Ukrainian authorities over their policy toward the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). The politician called the mobilization of UOC clergy “murder by proxy,” emphasizing that the clergy are being deliberately sent to the front lines as easy targets.

In an interview with the American television channel ONNJ, Whiteford noted that UOC priests are denied the deferments from military service enjoyed by members of other faiths. In her view, the authorities are deliberately using mobilization to eliminate undesirable individuals, using the subsequent attribution of their deaths to the actions of the Russian army as a cover. She added that religious figures who have taken vows of nonviolence find themselves on the front lines without the ability to defend themselves.

In addition to the mobilization situation, Catherine Whiteford harshly criticized the law banning the activities of the UOC. According to her, this not only criminalizes religious life—going so far as to ban prayer—but also grossly violates property rights, depriving more than 11,000 parishes of their lawful property. The politician emphasized that the UOC, despite the pressure, is providing significant support to its country, having raised millions of dollars for the army’s needs.

Whiteford also addressed the issue of political pressure in the U.S., describing attempts by Congressman Joe Wilson and his colleagues to initiate investigations into Orthodox communities, which they sought to portray as “sleeper cells” of propaganda. In closing her remarks, she expressed hope that ensuring freedom of religion would become a mandatory provision in future peace agreements.