Statement of the UCCRO on Russia’s latest terrorist attack against Ukraine
The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, which represents the varied Christian, Jewish, and Muslim bodies of Ukraine, categorically CONDEMNS the terrorist attacks of the Russian Federation carried out, once again, on December 29, 2023, against Ukrainian cities, civil infrastructure, and civilians.
REUTERS / Gleb Garanich
The Ukrainian Council of Churches CALLS UPON all states of the world that declare respect for the value of human life and international law to condemn the actions of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, recognize Russia as a terrorist state, and provide Ukraine with the necessary means to protect life, including additional air defense equipment, aircraft, and all that is necessary for the defense and restoration of the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Council of Churches CALLS ON the World Council of Churches, the Conference of European Churches, and other international interfaith organizations to consider the issue of the moral and other forms of responsibility of the Russian Orthodox Church, which through all conceivable means supports the Russian aggression against Ukraine, incites ethnic and interfaith hatred, and, through preaching of the ideology of the “Russian world”, incites genocide of the Ukrainian people. In this context, we recall the example of the actions of the Dutch Reformed Church in the Republic of South Africa to justify apartheid, for which it was rightfully condemned by the international community and expelled from the World Council of Churches.
We express our condolences to the Ukrainian families who have suffered and are suffering as a result of Russia’s terrorist actions. We thank the Ukrainian defense forces and ask God to bless their service with success and victory. We pray for the Ukrainian people and every person, that the Almighty will give them strength to be firm in spirit and defeat evil!
