In a significant development, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church convened with Ukrainian military representatives to address the concerning situation of two captive Ukrainian Catholic priests and numerous detained civilians by Russian forces.
The meeting occurred at the Major Archbishop’s official residence in Kyiv, involving Dmytro Usov, Ukraine’s secretary responsible for handling prisoners of war; the members of Usov’s team; and military intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov. Father Oleksa Petriv, the head of the church’s external relations department, also contributed to the dialogue.
Reports on the discussion were made public through the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church’s website on April 25, accompanied by photographs illustrating the gathering within the Archbishop’s office.
During this encounter, Usov extended gratitude towards Major Archbishop Shevchuk for his unwavering support of the Ukrainian forces and their kinfolk, recognizing the church’s significant participation in the chaplain service of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This service was legitimized in July 2022 through legislation passed by Ukraine’s parliament.
As of February 2024, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have incorporated about 740 chaplains, drawn from various faith traditions including Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim, who are barred from military involvements.
The dialogue highlighted the issue of the widespread detention of Ukrainian civilians by the Russians, particularly clergy. It emphasized the predicament of Redemptorist Fathers Ivan Levitsky and Bohdan Geleta, members of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, who have been imprisoned since November 2022. They were apprehended in Berdyansk for choosing to stay with their parishioners amid occupation.
Shorty after their detention, Major Archbishop Shevchuk expressed concerns regarding reports of torture inflicted upon the priests. Similarly, Sister Lucia Murashko testified to seeing a distressing transformation in Father Levitsky’s appearance in a video following his arrest.
Observations from a human rights organization suggest Father Levitsky’s transfer to a Russian prison, while Father Geleta’s location is presumed to be Russian-occupied Crimea. Additionally, Russian authorities in occupied regions have endeavored to suppress Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church activities alongside other Western-supported entities.
Usov further requested Major Archbishop Shevchuk to convey accolades to Pope Francis, for his Easter appeal promoting an exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine. Usov emphasized the ethical and Christian essence of such an exchange and confirmed Ukraine’s commitment to this objective.
Since the aggression by Russian forces commenced in February 2022, a vast number of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians have endured capture, torture, and abuse, contravening international humanitarian laws. The International Criminal Court has initiated actions against Russian authorities, including President Vladimir Putin, for illegal deportations and transfers of Ukrainian children to Russia.
“Our goal is to free all Ukrainians from captivity,” Usov declared to Major Archbishop Shevchuk.
Reported by multimedia journalist Gina Christian of OSV News. For more updates, follow her on X (formerly Twitter) as @GinaJesseReina.
FAQ Section
- Who is Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk?
- Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk is the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
- What was the purpose of Major Archbishop Shevchuk’s meeting with Ukrainian military officials?
- The meeting aimed to discuss issues regarding the detention of Ukrainian Catholic priests by Russian forces, as well as the widespread detention of Ukrainian civilians in occupied areas.
- Who are the Ukrainian priests that have been detained by Russian forces?
- Redemptorist Fathers Ivan Levitsky and Bohdan Geleta have been detained by Russian forces since November 2022.
- What has been the international response to Russia’s detention of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians?
- The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against Russian officials for unlawful deportations and transfers, including allegations against President Putin.
Conclusion
The discussion between Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk and Ukrainian military representatives underscores the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, as the global community observes with alarm. The fate of the detained priests and civilians is a heart-wrenching aspect of the conflict, and efforts like these meetings are vital in addressing their plight. With religious leaders and international authorities calling for action, there is a concerted effort to alleviate the suffering and ensure the safety and freedom of those unjustly held. As negotiations and advocacy continue, it’s a sobering reminder of the human cost of war and the resilience of those fighting against oppression.