U.S. politician thanks Vance and Luna for supporting UOC believers
Whiteford spoke of violations of believers’ rights in Pryiutivka and Kuzmyn and thanked the leadership of the Republican Party for its stance in defense of religious freedom.
The leader of the youth wing of the U.S. Republican Party, Katherine Whiteford, thanked American politicians for publicly supporting believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). In a statement posted on X, she commented on the situation surrounding UOC churches in the villages of Pruytivka and Kuzmin, pointing out that parishioners had committed no wrongdoing.
“What exactly is the crime that these parishioners of the St. George Church in Priyutivka village, and the Nativity church in Kuzmyn have committed? Being in the "wrong" church in the eyes of the government,” Whiteford wrote.
The politician expressed gratitude to Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna and U.S. Vice President J. D. Vance for their position on protecting religious freedom. “I am very thankful for the leadership Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Vice President J. D. Vance on this issue. This isn't politics. This is basic human rights,” she emphasized.
Earlier, Anna Paulina Luna said she expects official explanations from Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, regarding the ongoing attempted seizure of the Nativity of Christ Church in the village of Kuzmyn in western Ukraine.
In addition, Whiteford posted a video of a speech by J. D. Vance recorded in April 2024, in which he spoke about persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the authorities’ plans to pass a law that could lead to the closure of many communities. “You don't impose drastic restrictions on a religious community and its religious freedom because some of its members disagree with you about the current conflict,” Vance said, stressing that the destruction of a Christian community in Ukraine would be “a disgrace” for the United States and its allies.
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— Catherine Whiteford 🇺🇲 (@CEWhiteford) January 30, 2026
What exactly is the crime that these parishioners of the St. George Church in Priyutivka village, and the Nativity church in Kuzmyn have committed? Being in the "wrong" church in the eyes of the government.
I am very thankful for the leadership of…
