U.S. urged to stop funding religious persecution in Ukraine

Politicians in the United States of America met with a delegation of Orthodox clergy to discuss the alleged persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) by the Ukrainian authorities. The meeting resulted in a call to stop any U.S. funding that might contribute to religious persecution without compromising overall support for Ukraine.

In her X account, Young Republicans USA co-chair Catherine Whiteford thanked Congresswoman Moon for organizing the meeting with a delegation of bishops and clergy from five Orthodox Churches in the United States. The main topic of discussion was the situation of the UOC and the Ukrainian government’s actions toward the church.

According to Whiteford, the clergy and activists made a number of specific demands, emphasizing that they had nothing to do with military action. Among the key demands: an end to any U.S. funding that directly contributes to religious persecution; a halt to the conscription of clergy to the front lines; immediate medical care for imprisoned clergy; and the release of priests and journalists they believe have been detained for their faith or for reporting on these events.

“These are basic American ideals that we expect from any ally. We are not asking for an end to U.S. support for Ukraine – only that religious persecution cease,” Catherine Whiteford said. She also praised the leadership and commitment of Congresswoman Luna to the defense of religious freedom.

Recall, earlier we reported that U.S. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna sharply criticized her colleague, Congressman Joe Wilson, and accused the Ukrainian government of religious persecution. The occasion was Wilson’s public attacks on a delegation of Orthodox hierarchs who had arrived in Washington to discuss the situation with believers in Ukraine.