Statement

of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations on plans to hold public events in Kyiv by the left-wing radical political movement

The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, realizing its spiritual responsibility for the fate of the Ukrainian people, its future, and further development based on public morality and harmony, appeals to Ukrainian society and state authorities regarding the fact that on June 16, as it has been reported by the media, the so-called Equality March 2024 is planned to be held in Kyiv. This is despite the restrictions on public political events in Ukraine due to the ongoing full-scale Russian invasion.

For almost two and a half years, the Ukrainian people and the Ukrainian Defense Forces have been heroically opposing russia's military aggression. The war resulted in millions of Ukrainians losing their loved ones, a third of the country's population living below the poverty line, a large number of people losing their homes and livelihoods, and millions of our compatriots becoming refugees in different countries or being internally displaced within Ukraine.

The organizers' persistence in holding the event despite restrictions on other public political events from different political forces and social and political movements is surprising. The Equality March is essentially a political and ideological gathering disguised as an event supporting human rights. It represents a left-wing radical political movement rooted in past Marxism and aims to advance and impose a political ideology that undermines the family institution and weakens Ukrainian society in the context of war and countering Russian aggression.

In their statements, the organizers of the Equality March suggest that Ukrainian authorities should “allocate more resources to assist LGBT individuals affected by the war” and adopt laws that would promote the spread of depravity and immorality in Ukrainian society.

Recall that Article 15 of the Constitution of Ukraine states: "Social life in Ukraine is based on the principles of .... ideological diversity. No ideology shall be recognized by the State as mandatory. Censorship is prohibited."

The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations reiterates that one of the top priorities for the government in the current situation is to support the strengthening of the family institution, promote family values through the education system, and encourage spiritual and patriotic education for young people. The values of family, motherhood, fatherhood, natural masculinity, and femininity are fundamental to the Ukrainian people and are a millennial heritage of the Ukrainian mental space.

Given the above, for the future of the Ukrainian people and state, we urge for the cessation of propaganda promoting another totalitarian ideology linked to Marxism and conducting disgraceful events aimed at undermining the fundamental values of the Ukrainian people!

June 12, 2024, Kyiv