Society of Saint John Criticizes “Countering Russia’s War on Faith” Bill for Omitting UOC Persecution

PHOTO: Michael Cravotta/UOJ-USA

WASHINGTON DC —The Society of Saint John of Shanghai and San Francisco (SSJ) has issued a statement sharply criticizing the proposed “Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act” (HR-8433 / S-4379), warning that the legislation fails to address the ongoing persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) by authorities in Kyiv.

While affirming that Russia must be held accountable for documented destruction of religious sites during the war, the Society argued that the bill’s exclusive focus on Russian actions presents an incomplete—and ultimately misleading—picture of the state of religious freedom in Ukraine.

“The destruction of churches, the killing of clergy, and the suppression of believers—wherever they occur—are grave crimes that cry out for justice,” the statement reads, noting reports that more than 600 religious sites have been damaged or destroyed during the conflict. “These must be investigated and the Russian military must be held accountable.”

However, SSJ emphasized that the legislation’s sponsors, Reps. Joe Wilson and Don Bacon, have remained silent regarding “well-documented” measures taken by the Ukrainian government against the UOC. These include the detention of clergy, the seizure of church property, and the implementation of laws targeting the canonical Church under allegations of collaboration.

According to the Society, such actions—cited in reports by international human rights organizations—constitute “a clear and ongoing violation of religious freedom.”

The statement further noted that many of the churches destroyed in the war belong to the UOC, raising concerns about what it described as a double standard in U.S. policy and rhetoric.

“To condemn their destruction at the hands of one party while justifying or ignoring their persecution by another is not moral clarity—it is hypocrisy,” the Society stated.

Calling for a consistent application of principles, SSJ urged U.S. lawmakers to address violations of religious liberty “without exception, without favoritism, and without political convenience.”

“If the United States is to speak credibly on religious liberty…it must apply the same standard to both adversaries and allies alike,” the statement said, warning that failure to do so undermines the very values such legislation purports to defend.

The Society concluded by affirming that religious freedom is not a geopolitical instrument, but a universal right rooted in the dignity of the human person, and called on Congress to confront the full scope of religious persecution in Ukraine.

UOJ America previously reported on the pivotal role played by the Society of Saint John in the release of Metr. Arseniy of Sviatohirsk after two years in pretrial detention.

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