In Ukraine, One UGCC Community Attempts to Seize Church of Another

The Church of Saints Andriy and Klymentiy Sheptytsky in Prylbichi. Photo: zaxid.net

PRYLBICHI — A long-running conflict within a Greek Catholic parish in the village of Prylbichi, Lviv region, escalated on Nov. 17, 2025, when supporters of excommunicated priest Vasyl Kovpak allegedly attempted to forcibly enter a church, UOJ-Ukraine reported with reference to ZAXID.NET.

Eyewitnesses said members of Kovpak’s traditionalist group — unrecognized by the Catholic Church — broke locks in an effort to access the worship space, prompting a confrontation with the regular UGCC parish. Police were called to restore order.

Fr. Andriy Stadnytsky accused Kovpak’s followers of trying to “regain control of the church,” noting they had attempted similar actions previously. He said the building “legally belongs to the UGCC” and criticized what he described as their “sectarian methods.”

Local residents told reporters the dispute has simmered for years, with both Greek Catholic communities alternating use of the church and frequently trading accusations of provocation and pressure.

Police confirmed that order was secured and that details of the incident were entered into the unified registry of reports.

Previously, UOJ reported that the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, had announced the "revival" of an ancient and powerful Christian center in Kyiv in cooperation with the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

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