"Mental health," UGCC explains to Kyiv residents why they need Uniate church

The construction fence of the UGCC church in Obolon. Photo: portal "Moya Obolon"

In Obolon, Kyiv, the standoff continues between Greek Catholics, who are attempting to build a new church, and local residents opposing the construction.

Following a series of incidents in which the construction site fence was torn down by Kyiv residents, the Uniates erected a new fence, on which they affixed advertising banners with arguments in favor of building their church.

"A space of healing, mental health, and emotional resilience", "We are building not just a church – we are building a community", and "We are building not just a church – we are building a society" – these are the slogans the Greek Catholics chose to convince local residents of the benefits of constructing their church.

Local resources described such creative materials as "propaganda materials".

The UOJ previously reported that construction of a UGCC church near a kindergarten in Kyiv began despite residents' protests. As early as 2024, a petition demanding that construction on this site be halted gathered more than 6,000 signatures. Local residents claim that the permit was issued by the Kyiv City State Administration without genuine public hearings. Residents are demanding that work be stopped, that an alternative site be found for the church, and that official public hearings be held with a residents' vote regarding construction on this territory.

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