U.S. politician calls on Orthodox Americans to meet with lawmakers

Leader of the Republican youth wing, Catherine Whiteford. Photo: Whiteford’s X account

Сatherine Whiteford, head of the youth wing of the U.S. Republican Party, issued an appeal to Orthodox Americans, urging them to participate in a meeting with members of Congress on December 16, 2025. The call comes in response to statements made by several U.S. lawmakers who have begun linking Orthodox clergy to “Russian intelligence services” and “foreign influence” because of their support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Whiteford posted her video address on her X account.

According to her, these accusations are not only baseless but dangerous, as they create an atmosphere of mistrust and hostility toward Orthodox communities.

Whiteford placed particular emphasis on the issue of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. She noted the paradox that American journalists and politicians label the persecution of the UOC as “alleged,” even though Viktor Yelensky, head of Ukraine’s State Service for Ethnopolitics, openly acknowledges a “full-scale crackdown” on the Church.

At the same time, she reminded viewers that even the official investigation conducted by his predecessor, Olena Bohdan, confirmed that the UOC has no administrative ties to the Moscow Patriarchate. "For stating that truth she was fired and replaced by a man who has written openly about the need to eradicate religion and who, unlike UOC clergy, does have ties to the Soviet system," she added.

Nevertheless, some U.S. lawmakers continue to reference the “threat” allegedly posed by the UOC and the supposed “remnants of Moscow leadership,” which, Whiteford argues, demonstrates a lack of understanding of canonical governance and the nature of the Orthodox Church.

In her view, the root of the problem is ignorance and the absence of personal interaction between politicians and actual Orthodox Christians.

“Together we will meet with our elected officials, pray for our country, and show America who we truly are: faithful, patriotic, everyday Americans. This is societyofstjohn.com to register,” Catherine Whiteford urged.

As the UOJ reported earlier, Сatherine Whiteford previously shared details of the delegation of Orthodox Churches’ meeting with Congresswoman Paulina Luna.

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