U.S. congressman calls for an end to persecution of Christians and UOC

Congressman Eli Crane. Photo: uoj.news
On December 16, 2025, U.S. Congressman Eli Crane of Arizona called for an end to the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, the UOJ website in the United States reported.
Crane said that since the start of the war, there have been troubling authoritarian tendencies in Ukraine that “stand in stark contrast to the core pillars of Western civilization.” Among these, he cited the cancellation of elections, control over media resources, and the misuse of financial funds.
“It’s clear that the situation on the ground is far different from what is portrayed by the mainstream media,” he noted. “Alongside these concerns is the mistreatment of Christians, which is especially concerning.”
Crane expressed hope that the end of the war would not only save countless lives but also bring relief “after many years of suffering and restrictions on freedom of religion and freedom of speech.”
“Let’s continue to trust in God, stand firm in our convictions, and spread the Gospel worldwide,” he said.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that a U.S. congresswoman had called for ending support to countries that persecute Christians.
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