Head of New York Young Republicans condemns congressman for attacking UOC
President of the New York Young Republican Club Stefano Ludaros Forte. Photo: StefanoLforte's account on Х
On 17 November 2025, Stefano Ludaro Forte, head of the New York Young Republicans Club, responded on his X account (formerly Twitter) to Rep. Joe Wilson’s remarks about alleged “foreign influence” in American Orthodoxy.
In a second post, Forte accused Wilson of repeating propagandistic claims against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and ignoring the real facts of its persecution. According to the activist, instead of attacking an entire confession, the congressman should find out what UOC believers are actually facing in Ukraine.
Forte cited information that Ukrainian authorities are drafting monks to the front lines and confronted the politician with a pointed question: “The Ukrainian gov is conscripting monks to the frontlines, and you’re giving them cover?”
He also invited Wilson to meet with UOC priests and monks, adding that he is ready to personally arrange such a meeting: “Maybe instead of attacking a whole faith, meet with the priests and monks fighting to save their church. My DMs are open if you want to meet them. Your Christian constituents are watching.”
In Forte’s view, at a time when the UOC is experiencing unprecedented pressure, it is unacceptable for American politicians to side with the persecutors.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Serbian Church had accused The Hill of slandering its hierarch.
Read also
UGCC cleric criticizes OCU head for awarding Greek Catholic officials
Hieromonk Yustyn Boiko of the Lviv Archeparchy called the awarding of church honors to officials a profanation and cited the example of an OCU order presented to a Greek Catholic official.
Expert who found no defamation in Dumenko’s remarks to face disciplinary action
An Interior Ministry research center has confirmed disciplinary measures against the expert whose findings supported what the Metropolitan’s representatives described as unfounded accusations by the OCU head against Metropolitan Theodosiy.
European Parliament condemns forced Islamization of children in Pakistan
The European Parliament has called on Pakistan to establish a mechanism to protect Christian families.
Church of the Presentation damaged by shelling in Russia’s Kursk Region
The newly built church in the village of Kulbaki, Glushkovo District, was completely gutted by fire after being struck by a projectile.
UOC priests take part in celebrations at Romania’s Putna Monastery
Clergy of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy took part in a festive service at the ancient shrine of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
TRC officers abduct priest of UOC's Zymne Monastery
The UOC cleric was reportedly taken by force to Lutsk.