Washington, D.C., April 12, 2023
Photo: state.gov screenshot
A top spokesperson for the U.S. State Department told journalists on Monday that he is unaware of reports about churches being attacked and seized in Ukraine.
In addition to the events surrounding the Kiev Caves Lavra, there has been an increased wave of violent church seizures accompanied by local authorities seizing land and declaring bans on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church over the past few weeks.
However, Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the Department of State, is unaware of such reports.
The Department of State’s transcript of Monday’s press briefing reads:
QUESTION: Thank you. Is the State Department aware of violent attacks on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church parishes taking place now?
MR PATEL: I’m not aware of these specific reports. Can you expand a little bit?
QUESTION: Last week alone, there were dozens of attacks on the church and churchgoers in Ukraine. People are capturing churches in Ukraine. Have you heard anything about it?
MR PATEL: Again, I haven’t seen those reports, so I couldn’t speak to them, but we’re happy to check and get back to you.
“What fantastically selective ignorance,” commented Vladimir Legoida, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Synodal Department for Relations with Society and the Media.
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