CATHOLIC AND GREEK CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES IN UKRAINE DURING THE FULL-SCALE WAR

Abstract

B a c k g r o u n d . In this article, the author analyses the functioning of Catholic and Greek Catholic communities in the context of full-scale war, identifying the main challenges and threats. In examining the changes in the lives of religious organizations in Ukraine, special attention is paid to the circumstances in which communities have to operate, namely regular shelling, the capture of certain territories by the enemy, the presence of communities in the zone of military operations, or occupation. All this leads to the disappearance of communities, their forced evacuation or voluntary resettlement, dispersal across different territories, etc.

M e t h o d s . The author uses methods of analysis and synthesis to study the state and main challenges in the life of religious communities, as well as to identify the peculiarities of their functioning in wartime conditions. The use of the comparative method made it possible to compare the situation of different denominations and identify the main trends characteristic of Catholic and Greek Catholic communities.

R e s u l t s . An analysis of the situation regarding the protection of religious rights and freedoms in the temporary occupied territories (ТОТ) has revealed significant violations in the area of religious freedom. These include institutional restrictions and prohibitions, as well as persecution and physical pressure on clergy and believers. Conditions are being created on the ground that make it impossible for religious organizations to operate in the TOT if they do not show loyalty to the occupation regime, refuse to cooperate, or refuse to submit to the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church. The article provides evidence of the persecution of Greek Catholic clergy and deportation using various forms of violence. The property of Catholic and Greek Catholic communities is also unprotected against the arbitrary actions of the occupying regimes. It has been determined that all these factors have led to the cessation of almost all Catholic communities and absolutely all Greek Catholic communities.

C o n c l u s i o n s . However, despite the difficult circumstances of the war, Catholic and Greek Catholic communities are actively engaged in various types of assistance and support, including spiritual, psychological, humanitarian, and other forms of aid. In other words, the war has had a significant impact on the state and activities of religious communities, but Catholic and Greek Catholic communities have demonstrated a high level of social mobilization, solidarity, and united work for the victory of Ukraine.