Ukraine: Ministry of Culture and Church against closure of temples due to quarantine

It is important to preserve the opportunity to attend temples and other sacred places despite the aggravation of the coronavirus pandemic, says a joint statement by church leaders of Ukraine, the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience and the Ministry of Culture.

The authors of the statement stressed the importance of ensuring the right to freedom of conscience and public activity of religious organizations in the context of an aggravated coronavirus pandemic.

“For Christians, a special period begins – the Nativity Fast, which is a period of solitude, enlightenment, charity and care for others,” the document says. “For believers, this is a special period with centuries-old traditions. At the same time, the country, like on the eve of Easter, is in an extraordinary situation due to an unresolved pandemic.

Taking care of people’s health, their emotional comfort and spiritual well-being, it is important to keep churches and other sacred places accessible.”

At the same time, the authors of the statement propose to adhere to special measures to secure the attendance of churches by believers.

“In these difficult times, the Churches feel the need of people for spiritual and moral support,” the document says.

<…> We hope for the adoption of well-considered and balanced decisions that will comprehensively contribute to the support of fellow citizens during a pandemic and its early overcoming.”