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

DESS congratulates Ukrainians on Passover

DESS has published an address in which it compared the biblical Exodus with the modern path of the people toward freedom and peace.

Amsterdam: Zelensky attacks UOC because he doesn't tolerate idependent thought

An international human rights defender stated that the Kyiv authorities are pursuing the goal of turning religion into a government department.

In Jerusalem, Jewish believers banned from visiting Western Wall during Passover

Israeli police announced restrictions for Jewish holidays.

OCU: Filaret did not want UOC-KP to exist after his death

The OCU insists that Filaret wanted the Kyiv Patriarchate to cease to exist after his death.

UOC primate blesses vehicles for evacuating the wounded from the front

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry performed the rite of blessing for nine vehicles purchased with donations from faithful in Ukraine and the Czech Republic.

Lawyer warns of planned seizure of UOC Ascension Church in Kyiv

The head of the religious community of the Holy Ascension Church in Demiivka has been unlawfully replaced, according to a lawyer.