U.S. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna to appeal to Vatican over alleged persecution of UOC

US Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna has announced her intention to send an official appeal to the Vatican over the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). In addition, Luna emphasized that American taxpayer funds should not be directed to governments responsible for the oppression of believers.

According to the RBC publication, the congresswoman plans to appeal not only to the State Department, but also to the Holy See. «In addition to the State Department, tomorrow morning I will also address the Vatican in response to the information I have received over the past 24 hours from representatives of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as well as members of their own government, regarding the persecution of Ukrainian Orthodox Christians, » Luna wrote in a statement.

She expressed her firm belief that U.S. tax money should not support governments that she believes are hindering believers in their attempts to worship God. «American tax money should not go to a government that is responsible for persecuting and hindering Christians in their attempts to worship God,» said Anna Paulina Luna.

The congresswoman also emphasized the Vatican’s responsibility to inform the world community about such cases. «The Vatican has a responsibility to inform the international community about what is happening in the world, particularly with regard to the persecution of Christians. We see that persecution of Christians is actively taking place and documented in Ukraine,» she said. Luna added that she expects a response from the Vatican and intends to make it public.

We will remind, on August 25, 2024 Pope Francis made an address in which he mentioned the law № 8371 adopted in the Ukrainian Parliament, aimed at banning the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Pontiff emphasized that no church in the world should be banned, as it performs prayer directed against evil and unrighteousness. In his turn, Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained such a reaction of the Pontiff by «Russian influence».