As part of a strategic outreach, Ukraine's largest delegation to the National Prayer Breakfast seeks support from influential Christian leaders in Washington, emphasizing the imperative of safeguarding religious freedoms amidst ongoing conflict with Russia, while documenting anticipated repercussions on various Christian denominations.
Ukraine Appeals to U.S. Conservatives to Highlight Religious Freedom Amid War with Russia
Ukraine Appeals to U.S. Conservatives to Highlight Religious Freedom Amid War with Russia
Ukrainian leaders urge American Christian conservatives to recognize the risks to religious freedom posed by Russian aggression during the National Prayer Breakfast.
Ukraine is sending a significant delegation to the National Prayer Breakfast, aiming to emphasize the crucial link between U.S. aid and the protection of religious freedom against the backdrop of the ongoing war with Russia. The group, which includes pastors, parliament members, and military chaplains, plans to present compelling arguments to U.S. lawmakers and officials connected to the Trump administration about the increased risks of religious persecution in the event of further Russian territorial gains.
The National Prayer Breakfast, a prominent event organized since 1953, will serve as a platform for the Ukrainian representatives to convey their perspective on how Russian advances threaten the religious rights and communities of various Christian denominations. They reference documented instances of destruction, looting of churches, and the arrest of clergy in occupied territories as evidence of this trend.
"Russia doesn’t just kill people, doesn’t just destroy our cities — Russia also destroys and bans religious communities," stated Roman Lozynskyi, a Ukrainian parliament member and supporter of the Greek Catholic Church, which has been particularly affected in regions held by Russian forces. He recalls the personal impact of these acts through the deportation of a friend and priest in Melitopol, where religious repression is aggressively pursued.
The call from Ukraine for increased attention to religious liberties not only seeks to align with American values but also emphasizes shared humanitarian concerns in the face of aggressive actions that threaten both lives and communities. As global stakeholders analyze various facets of the US-Ukraine relationship, the interplay of faith and politics continues to play a significant role in advocating for ongoing support amidst the war.
The National Prayer Breakfast, a prominent event organized since 1953, will serve as a platform for the Ukrainian representatives to convey their perspective on how Russian advances threaten the religious rights and communities of various Christian denominations. They reference documented instances of destruction, looting of churches, and the arrest of clergy in occupied territories as evidence of this trend.
"Russia doesn’t just kill people, doesn’t just destroy our cities — Russia also destroys and bans religious communities," stated Roman Lozynskyi, a Ukrainian parliament member and supporter of the Greek Catholic Church, which has been particularly affected in regions held by Russian forces. He recalls the personal impact of these acts through the deportation of a friend and priest in Melitopol, where religious repression is aggressively pursued.
The call from Ukraine for increased attention to religious liberties not only seeks to align with American values but also emphasizes shared humanitarian concerns in the face of aggressive actions that threaten both lives and communities. As global stakeholders analyze various facets of the US-Ukraine relationship, the interplay of faith and politics continues to play a significant role in advocating for ongoing support amidst the war.
