Conflict in Ukraine

Thousands mourn Ukrainian family killed in a Russian strike on Lviv

Gina Christian · September 9, 2024

Lviv mourned the victims of the Sept. 4 Russian strike on the residential buildings as thousands gathered Sept. 6 for funeral services of a mother and her three daughters.

Pope Francis expresses concern about religious freedom in Ukraine

Cindy Wooden · August 26, 2024

"Please, let no Christian church be abolished directly or indirectly: the churches are not to be touched," Pope Francis said about a Ukrainian law banning the Russian Orthodox Church, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Aug. 24, Ukrainian independence day.

Ukraine's religious leaders back proposed ban on Russian Orthodox Church over security concerns

Gina Christian · August 22, 2024

The largest organization of religious leaders in Ukraine is backing a proposal by that nation's president -- approved by Ukrainian lawmakers Aug. 20 -- to ban the Russian Orthodox Church and its affiliates, which have openly supported Russia's decade-long war on Ukraine.

Russian forces destroy Catholic church in Ukraine, as another parish prepares for attack

Gina Christian · August 13, 2024

Russian forces have destroyed another Ukrainian Greek Catholic church, while a priest at a separate parish is hastening to remove sacred items ahead of an expected Russian attack.

Church ‘liquidated’ in Russia-controlled Ukraine

Gina Christian · July 10, 2024

Russian forces have driven out all Greek and Roman Catholic clergy from the occupied areas of Ukraine, said the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Shevchuk condemns Russian attack on Kyiv children's hospital

Gina Christian · July 8, 2024

A July 8 attack by Russia on a children's hospital and other civilian targets throughout Ukraine is "a sin that cries out to heaven for revenge," said the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Disappeared Ukrainian priests may be in Russian labor camp, says human rights researcher

Gina Christian · June 6, 2024

Two disappeared Ukrainian Greek Catholic priests seized by Russian forces from their church in Berdyansk in November 2022 are possibly in a Russian-operated labor camp in occupied Ukraine, according to a human rights information service.

Cardinal Parolin: Ukraine using NATO weapons to strike Russia risks escalation

Carol Glatz · May 31, 2024

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said allowing Ukraine to use NATO weapons to attack military targets in Russia would lead to "an escalation that no one will be able to control anymore."

Bishop Bayda celebrates Ukraine’s ‘strength,’ ‘dignity’

Quinton Amundson · May 27, 2024

Bishop Bryan Bayda, who leads the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada, said God guided him on where to go and whom to meet during his February visit to war-torn Ukraine.

Ukrainian archbishop meets with military officials on missing priests, detained civilians

Gina Christian · April 30, 2024

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church recently met with Ukrainian military officials to discuss a range of issues, including Russia's detention of two Ukrainian Catholic priests whose fate remains unknown.