**Russia Asks the Vatican to Take a Stand on Ukraine’s Religious Freedom**
In a recent diplomatic move, Russia has requested that the Vatican take a more active role in advocating for freedom of religion in Ukraine. This comes after talks with Russian officials, who claim that the Ukrainian government is trying to escalate the conflict and carry out sabotage against civilian infrastructure sites on Russian territory.
**The Reality on the Ground**
Russia’s war in Ukraine has had devastating consequences for the country’s religious communities. According to reports, hundreds of churches have been damaged or destroyed, dozens of priests have been killed or kidnapped, and entire religious groups that don’t conform to Moscow’s brand of Orthodoxy have been banned. This includes the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Protestant and Muslim groups, and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
**Systematic Persecution**
The situation in Melitopol, a city in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Oblast that has been occupied by Russia since February 2022, is particularly dire. A new documentary, “No God but Theirs,” examines the systematic persecution of Ukrainian Christians in the city. The film details how both Protestant and Catholic churches were banned and dispossessed of all property by occupying Russian forces. Clergy were either deported or compelled to flee under threat, while others were falsely accused by Russian propaganda of storing weapons and ammunition.
**A Call for Action**
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has appealed to the Pope to support the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is seen as a key player in promoting Moscow’s brand of Orthodoxy. However, many see this move as an attempt to use the Vatican’s influence to legitimize Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
**The Human Cost**
Sixty-seven clergy members of various faiths have been killed between the start of Russia’s all-out war in 2022 and February 2025, according to Ukrainian officials. This is a stark reminder of the human cost of this conflict, which has seen countless civilians caught in the crossfire.
**A Call for Action**
The Vatican’s response to Russia’s request remains unclear. However, it is essential that the international community takes action to address the systematic persecution of Ukrainian Christians and promote freedom of religion in Ukraine.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
