Kyiv:

The Russian occupation authorities have prohibited the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) and other Catholic organizations from operating in the occupied areas of the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. The UGCC website said the authorities had issued an order prohibiting social service-oriented activities by the Church, Knights of Columbus, and Caritas organizations in the seized zone. 

The document, dated December 26, 2022, and written in Russian, was only recently brought to the knowledge of the UGCC, according to their statement. According to the order, the UGCC's actions were deemed to be "in violation of legislation on religious and public organizations of the Russian Federation”.

The order claimed that in March and April of 2022, UGCC parishioners had taken part in anti-Russian marches and disturbances while UGCC leaders were allegedly working with foreign intelligence services. In addition, the order stated that churches and buildings stored explosive devices and firearms weapons and disseminated literature calling for the violation of the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation. Additionally, it charged the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church congregations with “active participation … in the Zaporizhzhia area in activities [of] extremist organizations and propaganda of neo-Nazi ideas."

The order accused the Knights of Columbus of associating with the “intelligence services of the United States and the Vatican.” However, it didn’t give any justification for taking action against Caritas.

In addition to the ban, the Russian authorities have mandated that its property be transferred to them. Lease agreements on land and buildings will be terminated, and the Church will no longer be registered as a religious community in the region. Additionally, it was forbidden for those in positions of authority and management within the UGCC to register religious and public groups within the occupied region.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is calling the international communities to ensure that religious freedom is not harmed in the region.