The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations has proposed that the President of Ukraine establish a Ministry of Family Affairs. The initiative was announced on April 22 during a meeting of heads of denominations with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at St. Sophia of Kyiv. According to the participants, a strong and protected family is the basis of national security, demographic recovery, and stability of the state.
Source: Press Service of the President of Ukraine
“We are convinced that the natural family, created by the Creator, is the cornerstone for the survival of the Ukrainian nation, especially in times of war. That is why it should be in the center of state policy,” said Senior Bishop Anatoliy Kozachok, voicing the joint position of the Council of Churches.
The meeting was joined by Vice Prime Minister – Minister of National Unity Oleksiy Chernyshov, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Olena Kovalska and Head of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelensky.
The Head of State expressed deep condolences on the death of Pope Francis, emphasizing the important role of the pontiff and the Vatican in the return of deported Ukrainian children and the release of prisoners of war.
Given the religious holidays, the President congratulated representatives of Christian denominations on Easter and the Jewish community on Passover. He thanked the clergy for the spiritual support of the people, prayers for Ukrainian soldiers and citizens in the difficult time of war.
In his speech, Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s position on the pursuit of peace:
“Ukraine is the first to end this war. These days, important meetings will be held with the participation of representatives of the United States and Europe,” he said.
The President expressed gratitude to religious leaders for international advocacy – conveying the truth about the war, the real state of freedom of conscience in Ukraine and promoting the achievement of a just peace.
Among the key topics of the meeting were the development of military chaplaincy, which provides moral and spiritual support to Ukrainian defenders, the demographic crisis caused by the war, and support for internally displaced persons.
The President emphasized that the Ministry of National Unity had been established to support the unity of Ukrainians in the world and that unity hubs had been opened in different countries where citizens who had been forced to leave Ukraine could stay in touch with their homeland.
The parties also discussed the development of military chaplaincy, a ministry that provides spiritual and moral support to Ukrainian defenders on the front line.
