“For us, a free Ukraine stands for religious freedom,” says UGCC Head on the Mission of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations
During its official visit to Norway, the delegation of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations met with the Forum for the Council of Religious and Life Stance Communities. “Our visit to Norway is a visible reflection of Ukrainian civil society, because we, as the Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, represent neither the government nor politicians, but the ordinary people of Ukraine,” said the Father and Head of the UGCC, emphasizing the special mission of Ukrainian churches in protecting democratic values and religious freedom.
Addressing his Norwegian colleagues, His Beatitude Sviatoslav quoted Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Yaakov Dov Bleich, who once called the UCCRO “the most powerful non-governmental organization in Ukraine.” The Primate described the uniqueness of the Council, which represents a multi-ethnic, multi-confessional, and multi-religious country.
Recalling the approaching 30th anniversary of the UCCRO, His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted its pivotal role in Ukraine’s transformation. “We are already playing a decisive role in the transformation of Ukrainian society—from a post-Soviet corrupt totalitarian society to a democratic one that bears the image of a true European democracy,” he said. “And this transformation took place mainly because we promoted and defended religious freedom. For us, a free Ukraine means religious freedom.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav drew a direct parallel between the goals of Russian aggression and the historical oppression of churches. The Head of the UGCC shared his personal experience, noting that during the Soviet era, he “began his path to the priesthood in an underground seminary.” He also provided examples of systematic suppression of religious freedom in Russian-occupied territories, where churches are banned and “Bibles were even burned publicly because they were written in Ukrainian.”
“That is why we are all guardians of religious freedom in Ukraine and promote this freedom,” explained the Head of the UGCC. “The motto of our Council of Churches is: ‘We are all different, yet we are all equal.’”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav paid particular attention to the danger of using religion for military purposes. He refuted Russian propaganda narratives about a “Nazi regime” in Ukraine, emphasizing the multi-religious character of Ukrainian government and society.
“There is a great threat to all of us—the weaponization of religion. When religion becomes a weapon, and when a leader declares a holy war, a metaphysical war to destroy Ukrainians as a nation, as a culture, as a society, something is wrong with that religion,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
Separately, the Father and Head of the Church expressed his sincere gratitude to the Norwegian people, churches, and authorities for their hospitality and support of nearly 80,000 Ukrainians who have found refuge in the country, as well as for their solidarity with Ukraine.
He also touched upon the topic of military chaplaincy, emphasizing that the Ukrainian army reflects the entire nation: “Today, the Ukrainian army reflects the entire Ukrainian nation. That is why, alongside Catholic and Orthodox priests, we have other chaplains. Jews, Muslims, Christians, and even non-believers are defending and dying for a free and independent Ukraine today.”
At the end of the meeting, the Head of the UGCC called for continued support for Ukraine and expressed hope that “the war will one day be stopped.”
The UGCC Department for Information
