Reflecting on 35 years since Ukraine restored its independence from the Soviet Union, Bishop Vitalij Skomarovskyj of Lutsk, president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Ukraine (Latin Rite), emphasized that the nation now experiences true, lived freedom of conscience. In an interview with Vatican News, the bishop contrasted today’s constitutional religious liberties with the systematic persecution suffered under Soviet rule and tsarist regimes, calling the gift of faith-based freedom extraordinary despite the current turmoil.
However, Bishop Skomarovskyj noted that freedom presents its own modern spiritual challenges. While believers under Soviet oppression faced imprisonment, career blockades, and intense intimidation—often resulting in a highly tested faith—today’s openness brings different risks. With state barriers removed, the focus for many has shifted toward material careers and busy lives, leading to a noticeable decline in vocations and seminary entries compared to past eras.
Addressing the ongoing devastation of the war that escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022, the bishop highlighted the heavy toll borne by Ukrainian families and soldiers defending their homeland. He observed that while those on the front lines simply wish to live, they knowingly face mortal danger to protect their nation’s future. Amid this immense trial, Bishop Skomarovskyj expressed gratitude for the enduring global chain of material and spiritual support, affirming that international solidarity provides Ukrainians with vital strength and hope.