Prime Minister of Ukraine discusses wartime challenges with representatives of the Council of Churches
On October 19, in Kyiv, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with heads and representatives of religious organizations that belong to the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations.
On behalf of His Beatitude Sviatoslav, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was represented at the meeting by Metropolitan Archpriest Oleksa Petriv, Head of the Department of External Relations of the UGCC in Ukraine.
The participants discussed the challenges caused by Russia’s full-scale aggression and how to combat them. “Humanitarian aid, accommodation and support for internally displaced persons, chaplaincy, psychological assistance, various social projects, advocacy of Ukraine in the international arena — this is not a complete list of areas where the Church, religious organizations, and the state act in sync. Therefore, the government is aware of the great importance of your work and will facilitate it as much as possible,” said Denys Shmyhal.
The Prime Minister emphasized that the state greatly appreciates the role of churches and religious institutions in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Namely, military chaplains are becoming more professionalized, and the experience they have gained makes it possible to analyze problems and improve the system of military clergy.
Denys Shmyhal noted the importance of involving churches and religious organizations in implementing mental health programs, which First Lady Olena Zelenska is currently patronizing.
The participants of the meeting also commemorated with a minute of silence the clergypersons who died fulfilling their civic and human duty and all those who gave their lives for the freedom of Ukraine.
based on the materials of the Government portal
