Grace Thompson
Ukrainian Catholics belong to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, which is a Byzantine Rite Eastern Catholic Church. The ordinary or hierarch of the church holds the title of Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych and All Ruthenia. The Ukrainian Catholic Church is the largest Eastern Catholic Church, with more faithful than all the others combined. Ukrainian Catholics make up 13-14% of Ukraine's population, with 8% belonging to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, 1% Latin Catholics, and 4% not specifying a church affiliation. Since February 2022, the number of parishes and other religious institutions in Ukraine has risen by almost 10%, with most of the growth occurring in Catholic and Protestant denominations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ukrainian Catholic Church | The largest Eastern Catholic Church in the world |
| Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church | 8% of Ukrainian Catholics, 11% of all Ukrainians |
| Latin Catholics | 1% of Ukrainian Catholics, 1% of all Ukrainians |
| Armenian Catholics | Few in number |
| Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church | N/A |
| Ukrainian Catholic Church Worldwide Members | 2 million faithful |
| Ukrainian Catholic Church in Ukraine | 9% of the population (about 3.6 million people) |
| Ukrainian Catholic Church Hierarchy | Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk |
| Ukrainian Catholic Church Status in Ukraine | Outlawed under Soviet rule from 1946 to 1989 |
| Ukrainian Catholic Church Dioceses | 15 |
| Ukrainian Catholic Church Eparchies | 16 |
| Ukrainian Catholic Church Exarchates | 16 |
| Ukrainian Catholic Church Persecution | Clergy forbidden to conduct religious services, priests arrested, bishops imprisoned |
| Ukrainian Catholic Church Autocephaly | Gained independence from the Moscow church in 2018 |
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What You'll Learn
Ukrainian Greek Catholics make up 8-11% of Ukraine's population
Ukrainian Greek Catholics are concentrated in the country's western oblasts bordering Poland, particularly Lviv. There are, however, 16 eparchies or exarchates (equivalent to dioceses or vicariates) of the Church throughout the country, including in Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk. The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is rooted in the 10th-century Christianization of Kievan Rus', a state whose heritage Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus all claim. The Byzantine rite celebrates the liturgy in the form used by the Eastern Orthodox Churches, regularly using the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
The Catholic Church in Ukraine is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome. Catholics make up 13-14% of the population of Ukraine. The majority of Catholics (80%) in Ukraine belong to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church (Greek Catholic Eparchy of Mukachevo). Significant numbers of others belong to the Latin Church and Armenian Catholic Church.
Since February 2022, the number of parishes and other religious institutions in Ukraine has risen by almost 10%, with most growth occurring in Catholic and Protestant denominations. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate has lost more than 1,000 parishes and believers to the autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This has reduced the Kremlin's ability to use the Moscow church in Ukraine to expand Putin's "Russian world" and highlights Ukraine's shift to the West in religious and political terms.
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The Ukrainian Catholic Church is the largest Eastern Catholic Church
The history of the Ukrainian Catholic Church is closely tied to the geopolitical forces of the surrounding regions. The church regards itself as the successor to the metropolis that was established in 988 following the Christianisation of Kievan Rus' by Grand Prince Vladimir the Great. Byzantine Christianity was established among the Ukrainians in the same year by St. Vladimir (Volodimir), and the Church of Rus' maintained ties with Constantinople until the Great Schism of 1054.
In the centuries that followed, several attempts were made to restore union between the Church of Constantinople and the Church of Rome, with a temporary reunion achieved in the mid-15th century. A definitive union was finally achieved at Brest-Litovsk in 1596, when Metropolitan Michael Ragoza of Kiev and several other bishops agreed to join the Roman communion, on the condition that their traditional rites be preserved.
Despite this union, the Ukrainian Catholic Church continued to face challenges. In the 19th century, many Ukrainian Catholics began immigrating to North America due to persecution by the Orthodox Church and the Russian Empire. After World War II, the Ukrainian Catholic Church suffered intense persecution under the Soviet occupation of Western Ukraine, with its entire hierarchy imprisoned and its property confiscated. Despite these difficulties, the Ukrainian Catholic Church remains a vibrant and worldwide community, with a significant presence in countries such as Canada and the United States.
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The Ukrainian Catholic Church has two branches
The Ukrainian Catholic Church is the largest Eastern Catholic Church in the world, with more faithful than all the others combined. It is the Church of Kievan Rus', whose people first accepted Christianity in 988 under Volodymyr the Great. The Ukrainian Catholic Church has two branches: the "Mother Church" on its original territory, and the "Daughter Church" beyond it.
The "Mother Church" had five million faithful in four dioceses before World War II. However, with the second Soviet occupation of Western Ukraine, the Church suffered intense persecution. Its entire hierarchy of eleven bishops, as well as monks, nuns, and priests, was imprisoned, and its properties were confiscated. Despite this, Ukrainian Catholics continue to worship and foster their traditions.
The "Daughter Church" has fifteen dioceses and two million faithful outside of Ukraine. It has a presence in more than ten countries on four continents, including Western Europe, North and South America, and Australia. In the United States alone, there are around 300,000 faithful in three eparchies, with 206 secular and 41 religious priests, and 177 nuns.
The Ukrainian Catholic Church is a Byzantine Rite Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See. The ordinary or hierarch of the church holds the title of Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halych and All Ruthenia. The current primate, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, was elected in March 2011.
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The Ukrainian Catholic Church was persecuted under Soviet rule
Ukrainian Catholics suffered intense persecution under Soviet rule. The Ukrainian Catholic Church was a large and vibrant institution, with over three thousand parishes, 4,440 churches, five seminaries, 127 monasteries, and more than three million believers. However, as an institution that answered to an authority outside the state, it nurtured the patriotism and independent spirit that was problematic for the Soviet regime.
The Soviet authorities began an anti-Ukrainian-Catholic campaign in the media, discrediting the church and accusing it of conducting activities against Ukrainians. This was followed by harsh repressions, including the imprisonment, torture, and exile of priests, monks and nuns, and the Catholic faithful. The church was forced underground, with services held in forests or private homes, and religious rites performed in secret.
In 1946, an illegal synod of Kremlin-controlled clergy gathered in Lviv, with the aim of liquidating the independent existence of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and "reuniting" it with the Russian Orthodox Church. All church property was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic clergy went underground. The primate of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Metropolitan Josyf Slipyj, spent 18 years in Soviet labour camps.
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church was subjected to further waves of repression, even after the ban on the church was lifted in 1989. In the first half of 1980, three Uniate priests were murdered, and in early 1981, three more priests were imprisoned. The Soviet Secret Service also began using advanced infiltration and manipulation methods to destabilize the underground church.
The Ukrainian Catholic Church's resistance to Soviet persecution provided inspiration for future generations, with stories of brutality and courage shared among families. Despite the efforts to eradicate the church, it continued to influence Ukraine's social and political life, playing a role in the Orange Revolution and the Revolution of Dignity.
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Ukrainian Catholics are loyal to the Holy Father
Ukrainian Catholics have a long and complex history, dating back to the 10th century when Christianity was established as a state religion in Kievan Rus' (modern-day Ukraine). The Ukrainian Catholic Church, also known as the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, is the largest Eastern Catholic Church in the world, with more faithful than all other Eastern Catholic Churches combined. Despite facing intense persecution and challenges throughout its history, Ukrainian Catholics have remained loyal to the Holy Father and the Holy See.
During the Soviet occupation of Western Ukraine, the Ukrainian Catholic Church suffered greatly. Its bishops were imprisoned, monks and nuns were dispersed, and its properties were confiscated. Despite this persecution, Ukrainian Catholics continued to practice their faith and maintain their traditions. Metropolitan Josyf Slipyj, the primate of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, spent 18 years in Soviet labour camps due to his faith. Upon his release, he spoke of the sacrifices made by Ukrainian Catholics, stating that they had paid a heavy price for their loyalty to the Holy See.
The Ukrainian Catholic Church is a Byzantine Rite Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See. The head of the church, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, holds a unique position within the Catholic Church. While the church has requested Papal recognition of the title of "Patriarch" for its ordinary or hierarch, this has not yet been granted. Despite this, Ukrainian Catholics remain united in their loyalty to the Pope, who is the spiritual leader of all Catholics, including those in Ukraine.
In recent years, the Catholic Church in Ukraine has continued to grow and gain followers, particularly in the eastern part of the country. A 2024 study by the Razumkov Centre found that Catholicism is the second-largest religion in Ukraine, with 12% of the population identifying as Catholic. This growth has been accelerated by the war with Russia, as many Ukrainians have turned to religion for comfort and community. Ukrainian Catholics have played an active role in providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict, with church members delivering aid to villages near the frontlines and nuns offering support to displaced families and children.
In conclusion, Ukrainian Catholics have a strong history of loyalty to the Holy Father. Despite facing persecution and challenges, they have maintained their faith and traditions, fostering vibrant Catholic communities both in Ukraine and among the diaspora. The Ukrainian Catholic Church continues to play an important role in the religious and cultural life of the country, with its members united by their shared loyalty to the Pope and the Holy See.
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Frequently asked questions
It is hard to give an exact number, but it is estimated that there are around 3.6 million Greek Catholics in Ukraine, with around 2 million faithful worldwide.
Around 9% of Ukraine's population is Catholic, with 8% being Greek Catholics and 1% Latin Catholics.
Ukrainian Catholicism has its roots in the 10th century when Christianity was established as a state religion in 988. The Ukrainian Catholic Church is the Church of Kievan Rus, whose people accepted Christianity under the reign of Volodymyr the Great.
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church is a Byzantine Rite Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Holy See. It is the largest Eastern Catholic Church and has 15 dioceses and 16 eparchies or exarchates throughout Ukraine.
Ukrainian Greek Catholics are mainly located in the western oblasts of Ukraine bordering Poland, particularly Lviv. However, there are also significant diaspora communities in the US, Canada, Poland, Brazil, and Europe, as well as smaller communities in Argentina and Australia.
