Leader of the Catholic Church in Ukraine: I have seen thousands of conversions in three years of war

His beatitude Svatoslav Shevchuk, Archbishop of kyiv and leader of the Ukrainian Greco-Catholic Church, said that, three years after the Russian invasion, he has witnessed not hundreds of hundreds, but of “thousands of conversions.”

In one Interview with EWTN News In Depthhighlighted the remarkable growth of the Catholic Church in the middle of the war initiated on February 24, 2022: “In these three years, our Church has flourished. We have gone from 7.5 % of the population to 12 %. ”

“Some have fled, but others have arrived, because the Church, far from being a political organization, is an institution that authentically proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ and gives testimony of the truth of the living God among us. That has made her a lighthouse of hope, attracting many, ”he said.

Mons. Shevchuk also underlined Church’s commitment to truth and justice, even when his message can bother international politicians or leaders. “We must often say things that are not to the pleasure of those who govern. But we speak in the name of our people and we have the hope that springs from the divine grace of the Holy Spirit, ”he said.

Faith in the middle of the siege

Since the beginning of the conflict, the Church has been a shelter for thousands of people who have found not only physical protection in it, but also spiritual comfort. “Our cathedral in kyiv immediately became the best known refuge in the capital. During the first months, hundreds of people lived in the cathedral crypt, without the possibility of returning to their apartments, ”said Shevchuk.

Despite pain and uncertainty, the religious leader stressed that the crisis has also been an evangelization time, because people not only seek security, but answers to the great questions of life.

“Difficult questions are asked: ‘Why is this happening to us? Where is God? ‘ And this has been a unique moment for the Church, to testify to Christ and be mediators of a personal encounter with the living Christ among us, ”he said.

Archbishop Shevchuk also took the opportunity to send a message of hope to the world: “We bring you good news from Ukraine: we are alive and we want to share with you our faith in God and our hope.”

Kidnapped children and prisoners of war

The archbishop also denounced the situation of tens of thousands of children kidnapped by Russia. “We know very dramatic stories. These children have been beaten and even tortured. It is essential to understand that war is a great tragedy, and they, the most vulnerable people, are the ones who suffer the worst injustices, ”he warned.

On the prisoners of war, Archbishop Shevchuk revealed that two Ukrainian priests who had been captured managed to be rescued and have returned to their monasteries and parishes. “They have told us frightening stories of torture, daily humiliation and even the prohibition of praying. They were treated as animals and they were told that animals do not pray. ”

The Catholic leader called on the international community to assume the responsibility of protecting the captives in the hands of the Russians. “This goes against international humanitarian law. Any treaty or agreement must start from human life and fundamental rights, including those of war prisoners. ”

He also warned about the situation of thousands of civilians kidnapped by Russia, including doctors, priests and Protestant shepherds who remain in captivity. “Thanks to the mediation of the Holy See, we managed to rescue the Catholic priests, but by the Protestant shepherds nobody intercedes. As Christian brothers, it is my duty to speak on their name. ”

Archbishop Shevchuk reaffirmed the commitment of the Church to human dignity and justice: “Any prison is a tragedy, but the unfair deprivation of freedom and inhuman treatment of prisoners is something we can never accept.”