On February 6, 2024, the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (VRCiRO), headed by Council Chairman Stanislav Nosov, met with Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and discussed the issue of further support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
The VRCiRO press service issued the relevant report.
During the meeting, the spiritual head of the Church of England asked the representatives of Ukrainian denominations about how the war affects the ministry of the Churches, what are the primary challenges and what are the expectations of the churches for 2024.
Bishop Stanislav Nosov, presiding over the Council, thanked the Archbishop of Canterbury for the support to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people from the Church of England and the UK. He noted that one of the main challenges in the context of war among believers of different faiths and in society as a whole is the separation of families and the associated risks. Along with this, there is a quantitative increase in religious communities in the frontline areas, where people find social support and pastoral care.
The representatives of the Council noted that under martial law in Ukraine, there is freedom of religion, while democratic institutions and the judicial system continue to operate, churches are in dialogue with the authorities in solving topical issues of state-church relations and humanitarian problems of Ukrainian society. Representatives of Ukrainian faiths expressed hope for a victorious end to the war this year and readiness to participate in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
This is the second meeting of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. The previous meeting was held in December 2022.
The present members of the Council of Churches voiced the main areas of support for Ukraine, including humanitarian aspects, providing Ukraine with additional air defense and anti-missile equipment to protect the lives of the civilian population and providing assistance in post-traumatic rehabilitation.
