Press Release No: 05/26
23 June 2026
Brussels

A delegation from the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations (UCCRO) visited the Conference of European Churches (CEC) office on 22 June 2026 in Brussels, highlighting the role of churches in promoting peace, defending freedom of religion or belief, and supporting Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing war of aggression.

The visit followed Russia’s recent strike on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a site of deep spiritual and historical significance. CEC expressed solidarity with UCCRO and endorsed its statement condemning the attack, calling for the protection of Ukraine’s religious, cultural, and historical heritage.

CEC Vice-President Bishop Frank Kopania and CEC General Secretary Rev. Frank-Dieter Fischbach welcomed the delegation at the Ecumenical Centre in Brussels. Discussions focused on the impact of the war, the destruction of churches, the situation of religious communities in occupied territories, and the need to protect freedom of religion or belief.

“As Christians, we are connected in times of war and peace. We are called to speak up and work together, united in our faith,” said Bishop Kopania.

He also welcomed the participation of Ukrainian churches in CEC’s work, noting that the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia are CEC Member Churches. Through its Pathways to Peace initiative, CEC continues to work with churches in Ukraine and across Europe to support dialogue, reconciliation, and a just peace.

His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphany of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, described the suffering caused by the war, including attacks on churches, hospitals, and civilians.

“Ukraine continues to demonstrate resilience. This struggle is not only for Ukraine but for Europe and its values,” he said. He also highlighted the situation in occupied territories, where churches and clergy face persecution and restrictions on religious freedom.

Metropolitan Yevstratiy of Bila Tserkva of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine stressed the need for a common vision for peace and the protection of freedom of religion or belief. He warned against the misuse of religion to justify aggression and called for stronger efforts to counter disinformation.

Bishop Sándor Zán-Fábián of the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia and Chair of UCCRO thanked CEC for its continued solidarity, recognising the importance of cooperation during the war.

Representatives of UCCRO highlighted Ukraine’s tradition of interreligious dialogue, bringing together Christian churches and other religious communities. They called for a united voice based on human dignity, peace, and shared values. They also invited CEC and church organisations in Brussels to accompany Ukraine’s EU accession process, ensuring that the voices of churches contribute to dialogue with the European institutions.

Vsevolod Chentsov, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union, welcomed the role of churches in raising awareness in Brussels about Russian aggression and disinformation. He underlined the importance of protecting the rights of all communities in Ukraine as the country continues its European path.

The UCCRO delegation also included H.E. Vitalii Kryvytskyi, Bishop of the Diocese of Kyiv-Zhytomyr, Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine; Rev. Pavlo Shvarts, Bishop of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine; Rev. Anatoliy Kozachok, Senior Bishop of the Ukrainian Pentecostal Church; Rev. Oleksa Petriv, Mitred Archpriest of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church; and Oleksandr Zaiets, Board Chairman of the Institute for Religious Freedom.

Full statement of the UCCRO regarding the Russian strike on the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

Learn more about Pathways to Peace

For more information or an interview, please contact:

Naveen Qayyum
Communications Coordinator
Conference of European Churches
Rue Joseph II, 174 B-1000 Brussels
Tel. +32 486 75 82 36
E-mail: naveen@cec-kek.be
Website: www.ceceurope.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ceceurope
Twitter: @ceceurope
YouTube: Conference of European Churches