A delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) made a solidarity visit to Ukraine on 14-17 July, walking in hope and praying with churches and communities for an end to the war.
The visit occurred in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, which represents more than 90% of all religious organizations and communities in Ukraine.
The delegation visited church leaders, including Metropolitan Epiphaniy, the chair of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO). Throughout the visit, the delegation emphasized its deep commitment to ending the war; supporting humanitarian efforts; encouraging dialogue wherever possibilities emerge; and accompanying the churches of Ukraine in their ministry of healing and hope.
The delegation included: Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary; Bishop Prof. Dr Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, moderator of the WCC central committee; Rev. Karin van den Broeke, WCC central and executive committee member; H.E. Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionias and Philadelphia, Church of Greece, WCC central committee member and WCC Commission of the Churches on International Affairs commissioner; Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach, Conference of European Churches general secretary; and Marianne Ejdersten, WCC director of communication.
“It was a deeply moving experience to visit Ukraine again,” said Pillay. “We are greatly encouraged by the resilience, tenacity, and hope expressed in the people.”
Pillay noted that, even though there is a sense of fatigue and frustration, yet there is a strong affirmation of the necessity of resistance and victory.
“We met with church leaders, the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO), very senior government officials Ms Olena Kovalska, Deputy Head of the President’s office, and Mr. Viktor Yelenskyi, Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience; and local people,” said Pillay. “We received updates on the current situation with some new and deeply insightful information as we listened to the stories, thoughts, and feelings of the people.”
Pillay reflected that, as the delegation celebrated with UCCRO on its 30th anniversary, he appreciated the unity and witness of religious leaders from different faiths as they provide ministry and service to the people of Ukraine, especially during this time of war.
“We had focused conversations with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine addressing issues of concern, state relationships, and implications of the new amendments relating to state and religions issued by government,” he said. “We heard the government’s response to our concerns and UCCRO’s confirmation that the new amendment does not threaten religious freedom in Ukraine.”
Pillay added: “Many people commented on how brave the WCC delegation was in conducting a solidarity visit during a time of war. We responded that we will soon leave but they have to live with this experience every day.”
Pillay summarized the experience as very meaningful and engaging.
“The WCC remains committed to journeying with the faith communities and people of Ukraine in their struggle against an illegal and immoral war unnecessarily brought on them,” he said. “We lament the deaths, destruction, trauma and tragedy of war and pray, hope, and work for just peace in Ukraine and in the world.”
Bedford-Strohm said the delegation was moved and impressed by the resilience and confidence with which the Ukrainian people react to the difficult situation they have to deal with.
“Despite constant air alerts and the threat of being targeted by Russian missiles or drones, they try to live a normal life,” he said. “Yet we felt the trauma from four years of war in many of our talks.”
Bedford-Strohm added that the close collaboration between the churches and religious organizations in giving comfort and strength to the people of Ukraine is all the more important.
“We take this ‘existential ecumenism’ home as an inspiring impulse for the ecumenical movement as a whole,” he said. “The great gratitude with which our visit was received was a humbling sign for the deep necessity of all signs of solidarity with Ukraine by the global community.”
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Source and photo: oikoumene.gr
