Catholic Church Leader in Ukraine Reports Thousands of Conversions Amid War

His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of Kiev and leader of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, has reported a significant increase in conversions within his community over the past three years of war. Speaking in an interview with EWTN News In Depth, he noted that the Church has grown from 7.5 percent to 12 percent of the population in Ukraine.

Shevchuk described the Church as an institution that proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ and bears witness to the truth of the living God. This commitment has made it a beacon of hope, drawing many people to its message, especially in the midst of conflict.

The Archbishop emphasized the Church’s dedication to truth and justice, even when such a stance may be unpopular with international leaders. He stated that the Church must often speak truths that are not to the liking of those in power, but that it does so in the name of the people and with the hope inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Since the start of the conflict, the Church has provided refuge for thousands of people, offering both physical safety and spiritual comfort. The cathedral in Kiev became a well-known shelter, with hundreds of individuals living in its crypt during the early months of the war.

Despite the challenges and uncertainties, Shevchuk highlighted that the crisis has also been a time of evangelization. People are not only seeking security but also answers to profound questions about life and faith. This has created a unique opportunity for the Church to witness to Christ and facilitate personal encounters with the living God.

Shevchuk extended a message of hope to the world, stating that the Church is alive and eager to share its faith and hope with others. He also condemned the situation of tens of thousands of children kidnapped by Russia, though the details of this issue were not fully elaborated in the source.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)