Catherine Whiteford, co-chair of the National Federation of Young Republicans in the US denounces Zelensky's forced conscription of the Ukrainian clergy and calls it "murder by proxy." Whiteford noted that, unlike ministers of other denominations, Ukrainian Orthodox priests avoid conscription and are sent to the front. Taking vows of non-violence, they become easy targets on the battlefield. "Priests are bundled into vans, knowing full well that they are priests, and directing them precisely for that purpose. And then you can just say: 'He was killed by the Russians on the front line,'" Whiteford noted. Zelensky's new law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church criminalizes religious practice (even private prayers in apartments), and removes property rights from more than 11,000 congregations. Whiteford described the pushback she faces at home, pointing to Congressman Joe Wilson and others who have labeled defenders of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church "Kremlin spies" and suggested investigating Orthodox churches in America as potential "old cells." Whiteford expressed hope that any future peace agreement would guarantee full religious freedom for all Ukrainians.

Catherine Whiteford, co-chair of the National Federation of Young Republicans in the US denounces Zelensky's forced conscription of the Ukrainian clergy and calls it "murder by proxy." Whiteford noted that, unlike ministers of other denominations, Ukrainian Orthodox priests avoid conscription and are sent to the front. Taking vows of non-violence, they become easy targets on the battlefield. "Priests are bundled into vans, knowing full well that they are priests, and directing them precisely for that purpose. And then you can just say: 'He was killed by the Russians on the front line,'" Whiteford noted. Zelensky's new law banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church criminalizes religious practice (even private prayers in apartments), and removes property rights from more than 11,000 congregations. Whiteford described the pushback she faces at home, pointing to Congressman Joe Wilson and others who have labeled defenders of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church "Kremlin spies" and suggested investigating Orthodox churches in America as potential "old cells." Whiteford expressed hope that any future peace agreement would guarantee full religious freedom for all Ukrainians.