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Church response to Russian invasion of Ukraine

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Note: We are still periodically updating this page, but please check any information – updated 15 July 2024.

Churches and Christian organisations are continuing to respond to the Russian invasion of Ukraine with initiatives to host refugees, prayers, statements and appeals for aid.

Quick links

Sponsorship of Ukrainian refugees

The UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme is for those who wish to sponsor a ‘named person’. The Ukraine Extension Scheme closed for most new applicants on 16 May 2024 but remains open for children born in the UK. The Ukraine Family Scheme closed to new applicants on 19 February 2024.

In December 2022, the UK Government updated details of the support package for Ukrainians.

Extra advice is available from the Welsh Government for sponsors in Wales. Although the principles of the Homes for Ukraine sponsorship scheme are the same across the UK, differences exist for some public services.

The Welsh and Scottish Governments introduced Super Sponsor schemes, designed to provide a quicker and safer route for displaced people from Ukraine to come to a place of sanctuary. The Scottish Government provides a guide Scotland for Ukrainians: a guide for displaced people. Due to exceptionally high demand and a shortage of suitable accommodation, the Welsh Government suspended the scheme in Wales in June 2022.

The Scottish Government additionally published a Ukraine refugee psychological wellbeing pack. The Scottish Refugee Council also has a section of advice relating to Ukraine.

The Irish Refugee Council has information about travelling to and entering Ireland for those fleeing Ukraine after the Russian invasion, including links to information provided by the Irish Government. It quotes the Irish Government, on 21 October 2022, stating that it cannot guarantee it will be able to provide temporary accommodation to all people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Reset Communities and Refugees launched a matching and training service to pair sponsors and refugees under the UK Government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme. The service is available via Reset’s Homes for Ukraine website.

Communities for Ukraine is a refugee sponsorship programme created in March 2022. It is a collaboration between Citizens UK’s Sponsor Refugees project, and Ukrainian Sponsorship Pathway UK (USPUK), which have both been awarded ‘Recognised Provider’ status by the UK Government to match refugees with host sponsors under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) launched a Ukraine Matching Service in November 2022 for the Catholic community to help recruit hosts from across the UK willing to support displaced Ukrainians.

The Baptist Union of Great Britain has a web page with information for those interested in sponsoring Ukrainian refugees, including a response form to enable the organisation to keep in touch with Baptists exploring refugee sponsorship/support.

The Church of England has produced a parish toolkit and safeguarding guidance for those looking to help refugees, including via the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

Welcome Churches is working with churches and organisations across the UK to identify Ukrainian families in need of accommodation. It has also launched a website providing information for those arriving in the UK from Ukraine in English, Ukrainian and Russian.

A ‘Welcome Centre’ has been set up in London by the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family in partnership with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, based in Weighhouse Street in central London, aimed at being a single point of contact for essential information for arrival, settling and long-term living in the UK. There is an associated website providing useful information for those arriving or those looking to support them.

The Refugee Council published a response to the Homes for Ukraine scheme when introduced in March 2022.

Church and Christian organisations’ web pages on Ukraine

 

Churches’ Ukraine Refugee Roundtable

May 2022
13 May 2022

Solidarity with the victims of war in Ukraine

Since the invasion of Ukraine churches in Britain and Ireland have been responding to the escalating humanitarian crisis and expressing their solidarity through prayer initiatives and advocacy, with the support of the national ecumenical instruments.

A statement was issued from the Churches Together in England (CTE) Forum on 15th March 2022 and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) has been collating the information, statements and prayers prepared and issued by churches across these islands, on this web page.

On Sunday 3rd April the national ecumenical instruments joined with Christian Aid to promote acts of prayer and witness with the theme #WePrayforUkraine.

Facilitating collaboration

CTE, with support from CTBI and Cytûn (Churches Together in Wales), has been facilitating fortnightly roundtable discussions for member churches and partner organisations to promote collaboration, as well as sharing of information and best practice, across a range of areas including (i) arrivals — safe passage and accommodation; (ii) community supports — developing networks of support to address people’s needs beyond housing; (iii) advocacy and public messaging — including engagement through the churches’ international networks.

A key objective for these roundtables is to maximise the support available through collaboration and sharing of resources.

Appeal for Support

At our most recent roundtable we heard from Mar Awraham Youkhanis, Bishop of London for the Assyrian Church of the East, about their work in using their church networks to bring refugees from the Assyrian-Ukrainian community safely to London.

Through contacts in Ukraine and surrounding countries they have been able to initiate the application process for 50 families (over 170 people), with arrivals now beginning to take place.

The urgent priorities for support relate to accommodation and associated costs. To date the diocese has found rooms for approximately 75 people, but financial support is required to cover the costs. The cost of accommodation for a family for six months is estimated at £9000. A Go Fund Me page has been set up and any support would be appreciated.

Secondly, the diocese is seeking accommodation for the remaining families, and it is hoped to secure a property or properties that will allow families to be housed together to facilitate access to services and so that people can have a community of support. Information on potential properties in London should be sent to Bishop Mar Awraham Youkhanis.

Handbook for Ukrainian Refugees

A member of the roundtable has shared a handbook which provides an introduction to life in the UK for Ukrainian refugees, written in the Ukrainian language. If you have any queries relating to this handbook, please email.

Keep informed

Members are encouraged to bring updates and any appeals for support to the fortnightly roundtables.

If you would like to join the Churches’ Ukraine Refugee Roundtable, or if you have information or an appeal to share, please email your request or information.

Emergency Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

CAFOD and Christian Aid are among the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) members with an appeal to help the people who have fled their homes to escape the conflict in Ukraine. 6.3 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded globally (as of June 2023) with more than 5 million people estimated to be displaced inside Ukraine according the UNHCR.

CAFOD Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal

Christian Aid Ukraine Crisis Appeal

Church and other appeals

The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal

Church of England Diocese in Europe and USPG

The Methodist Church in Ireland

Salvation Army

 

Latest responses from churches and Christian organisations

 
11 June 2024

WCC executive committee calls for an end to the invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory

The World Council of Churches (WCC) executive committee, in a minute on the escalation of the war in Ukraine, called for “an end to the invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory, and the re-establishment of peace in the region.”

See the WCC website for full details.

February 2024


January 2024
31 January 2024

Bishops’ Appeal Update

An update on the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal describes the current situation in Ukraine as “challenging with more airstrikes, less support, and a general concern about the most vulnerable”.

Please see the United Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough website.

August 2023
2 August 2023

Briefing and resource for reflection, discussion and action

A new resource has been produced by the Joint Public Issues Team of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. The briefing aims to support people in reflecting on the questions prompted by the conflict.

Download the Ukraine briefing from the Baptist Union of Great Britain website.

June 2023


May 2023

Older statements from churches and Christian organisations

March 2023


February 2023

Events marking the anniversary of the invasion

National services were organised with Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, Churches Together in England and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church on 24 February 2023. Many other events were also organised across the nations. Christian Aid invited churches across Britain and Ireland to join together in an act of witness to pray for Ukraine on Sunday 26 February 2023, for an end to the conflict and for all those affected by the terrible impact of war.


January 2023


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December 2022

November 2022


October 2022

August 2022


July 2022


June 2022


May 2022


April 2022

#WePrayForUkraine

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) joined with churches and faith-based organisations across Britain and Ireland to invite Christians to join together in an act of witness to pray and light candles for Ukraine, for an end to the conflict and for all those affected by the terrible impact of war, on Sun 3 April 2022. More

Catholic Church

On 18 April 2022, Pope Francis appealed for reconciliation to prevail over war.

Pope Francis lamented the massacre of civilians in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha during Russia’s occupation of the area, and renewed his calls for an end to the war in Ukraine, speaking at the Wednesday General Audience on 6 April 2022.

Church of Ireland

7 April 2022: The Church of Ireland’s Bishops’ Appeal for World Aid and Development is releasing a further €40,000 and £35,000 to Christian Aid and Habitat for Humanity in support of humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and the surrounding countries. This brings the total released so far to €50,000 and £43,300.

Church of Scotland

Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, encouraged people to take part in the #WePrayForUkraine event which took place on Sunday 3 April 2022 to pray for the people of Ukraine and for an end to the conflict.

Church in Wales

The Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, urged churches to take part in the #WePrayForUkraine event which took place on Sunday 3 April 2022 to pray for the people of Ukraine and for an end to the conflict.

Conference of European Churches (CEC)

On 11 April 2022, the Presidents of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) and of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) sent a letter addressed to the Presidents of Russia and Ukraine, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling for an Easter ceasefire in Ukraine from midnight on 17 April until midnight on 24 April.

Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference

On 19 April 2022, Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin, as President and Vice-President of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, thanked the parishes across Ireland for their extraordinary generosity in raising to date of over €3.25 million in response to the crisis in Ukraine.

Methodist Church

The Methodist Church joined with Churches Together in England, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and Christian Aid to invite churches and Christians from across the UK and Ireland to come together on Sunday 3 April in an act of witness to pray and light candles for Ukraine, for an end to the conflict, and for all those affected by the terrible impact of war.

World Council of Churches (WCC)

19 April 2022: the WCC urged Patriarch Kirill of Moscow to “intervene and ask publicly for a ceasefire during the Resurrection service”.

4 April 2022: the WCC expressed abhorrence at reported atrocities in Ukraine.

March 2022
Archbishops of Armagh

On 16 March 2022, the the Catholic Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin and the Church of Ireland Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop John McDowell, expressed concern about the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine in their Saint Patrick’s Day message.

Catholic Church

Pope Francis called the war in Ukraine an act of violent aggression and a sacrilege without justification, and appealed for an end to the violence and for a long-term welcome of Ukrainian refugees, at the Sunday Angelus address with pilgrims in St Peter’s Square on 20 March 2021.

“In the name of God, I ask you: stop this massacre”, Pope Francis pleaded during his Sunday blessing on 13 March 2022, in St Peter’s Square, as reported in The Guardian.

Cardinal Nichols was among other London Church leaders who urged the UK Government to expand sponsorship to all Ukrainian refugees on humanitarian grounds.

On 4 March 2022, the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the Catholic Bishops’ Conferences of England and Wales, Ireland, and Scotland have appealed to Catholics to ‘sustain the prayer and self-denial of Lent as a constant offering to God, begging for an end to the pointless violence in Ukraine’. They ask fellow Christians everywhere, including Patriarch Kirill and all in the Russian Orthodox Church, to join in solidarity ‘in daily spiritual and practical efforts for a ceasefire, for humanitarian outreach and the silencing and laying down of weapons.’ They also call on the UK and Irish governments to ‘offer an open and generous welcome’ to Ukrainians seeking refuge from the violence.

Church of England

On 16 March 2022, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, held a video call with Patriarch Kirill of Moscow to discuss the urgent need for peace in Ukraine.

Church of Ireland

On 9 March 2022, the Bishops’ Appeal said it is immediately releasing €20,000 (£16,600) to Habitat for Humanity and Christian Aid for their humanitarian responses.

Churches’ Refugee Network (CRN)

On 17 March 2022, Revd Dr John Perumbalath, The Bishop of Bradwell, made a statement about the Ukraine crisis on behalf of CRN.

Church of Scotland

Lord Wallace, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, has encouraged people to donate to charities supporting refugees from Ukraine.

Churches Together in England (CTE)

Two statements were made during the CTE Forum which took place at The Hayes, Swanwick from 14–16 March 2022. On 16 March 2022, the CTE Forum delegates renewed appeals to the UK government to support the churches offering welcome and sanctuary to Ukrainian refugees. On 15 March 2022, the Presidents of Churches Together in England (CTE) and the Fourth Presidency Group made a statement on behalf of the whole of Forum, calling for ‘the immediate cessation of hostilities, the withdrawal of invading forces and the observance of the Geneva Conventions’.

Church in Wales

On 2 March 2022, the Archbishop of Wales called for urgent support for Christian Aid’s crisis appeal for Ukraine (see above), commenting:

“We are all shocked and sickened by Russia’s merciless attack on Ukraine. A humanitarian crisis is unfolding rapidly as people flee for their lives and we must respond swiftly to help. I am calling on our churches and communities in Wales to step up and donate generously to Christian Aid’s appeal and sign the petition to the UK Government to do more to help refugees.

“We must also continue to pray for Ukraine and for all its people at this terrible time.”

Conference of European Churches (CEC)

On 22 March 2022, members of the Joint Committee of the Conference of European Churches (CEC) and the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences (CCEE) called on leaders of the nations and the international community to do everything in their power to end the current war in Ukraine that is destroying lives and causing untold suffering. More

Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference

Prayer Service for Peace in Ukraine, and Dedication of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 25 March 2022 – Homily of Archbishop Dermot Farrell.

“War represents the failure of politics, politics and dialogue” – Homily of Archbishop Eamon Martin for Mass on the Feast of Saint Patrick.

London Church leaders

London Church leaders have written to the UK Government, on 9 March 2022, urging it to expand sponsorship to all Ukrainian refugees on humanitarian grounds, allowing them to enter the UK as quickly as possible. More

Methodist Church in Ireland

The church has published ten reflections on Christian social engagement in light of the war in Ukraine.

Racial Justice Advocacy Forum (RJAF)

The Racial Justice Advocacy Forum calls for coverage, prayer and action for Black and Brown peoples facing racial discrimination amidst the invasion of Ukraine. Read the full statement.

Scottish Episcopal Church

On 8 March 2022, The Most Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, commented via Twitter:

“The need is urgent. People in need must be welcomed now and the necessary administration can follow, without becoming a barrier to those we need to help immediately. I call on the Government: as we have been praying, so let us act: now.”

The College of Bishops has highlighted two national donation schemes: The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal; and The UK for UNHCR.

World Council of Churches (WCC)

30 March 2022: the WCC convened an ecumenical roundtable consultation on the situation in Ukraine at the Bossey Ecumenical Institute.

In a letter to Vladimir Putin, president of the Russian Federation, and Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine, on 23 March 2022, World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev Prof Dr Ioan Sauca urged the leaders to stop the war immediately and appealed for civilians to be spared from further attacks, and that humanitarian corridors to enable them to escape from peril be established, maintained and secured.

On 11 March 2022, the WCC said it was ‘appalled by the escalating impact of the conflict in Ukraine on civilians – the women, men and children of Ukraine – and by what appears to be increasingly indiscriminate attacks’. More

In a letter to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow on 2 March 2022, World Council of Churches (WCC) acting general secretary Rev Prof Dr Ioan Sauca asked the patriarch to mediate so that the war between Russian and Ukraine can be stopped. The WCC has also published Patriarch Kirill’s response.

The WCC has also endorsed an appeal issued by the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) and urged President Putin to stop the war and restore peace to the people and nation of Ukraine.

February 2022
Catholic Church

On 28 February 2022, 8 Bishops wrote to UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss to welcome the government’s “resolute defence of Ukraine’s sovereignty and opposition to Russia’s invasion” and to support a “swift peaceful resolution’ to the war in Ukraine”.

Cardinal Nichols called for an immediate cessation of the Russian attacks in Ukraine and for the protection of innocent civilians: “I appeal for all to pray for the people of Ukraine, who are suffering the brunt of this conflict. I pray for their strength and perseverance under this onslaught”.

Church of England

The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, has called on the UK Government to lift significant visa restrictions for refugees fleeing Ukraine.

At the outset of the conflict, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine as “an act of great evil”.

“Placing our trust in Jesus Christ, the author of peace, we pray for an urgent ceasefire and a withdrawal of Russian forces. We call for a public decision to choose the way of peace and an international conference to secure long term agreements for stability and lasting peace.”

Please see the Church of England website.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, addressed the Ukraine conflict in BBC Radio 4 Thought for the Day.

Church of Scotland

The Church of Scotland has called on all parties to renew peacemaking efforts and prepare to offer humanitarian aid to the people of that country.

On 24 February 2022, Lord Wallace said:

“All of us have looked on in horror as Russian forces launched a full-scale assault on Ukraine in the last 24 hours.

“We urge President Putin to cease hostilities and call on all parties to agree a ceasefire and return immediately to the negotiating table.”

The Faith Impact Forum will continue to support their partner church, the Reformed Church in Transcarpathia, Ukraine (Egyházkerület Kárpátaljai Református), through prayer and advocacy.

The Church is also joining with the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the Conference of European Churches, and World Council of Churches (WCC) to work together to collectively support the churches and people of Ukraine in seeking a peaceful solution.

For the full statement, please see the Church of Scotland website.

Church in Wales

The Archbishop of Wales said:

“I join with our political and church leaders in condemning the actions taken by the Russian Federation and urge a return, by all, to negotiation. I invite you to join me in praying for all those involved and for peace to return swiftly.

Conference of European Churches (CEC)

On 24 February 2022, the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), and the World Methodist Council (WMC) called for prayers of peace for the people of Ukraine and the region.

For the full statement, please see the CEC website.

Coptic Orthodox Church UK

Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, said:

“In this holy season of Lent across our Churches and Traditions, let us raise our hearts in prayer for an end to this war and conflict with the least possible loss of life, and for a restoration of peace and healing.

“We pray protection upon the people and the armed forces of Ukraine and Russia. We pray wisdom upon leaders and policy makers, that regardless of geopolitical considerations, the preservation of sacred life always stands paramount. We pray peace for a world that is still recovering from a global pandemic that has affected so many, and has had an immense toll on us all.

“May the Prince of Peace, our sovereign God, answer the prayers of millions around the world for an end to this war and further loss of life.”

For the full statement, please see the Coptic Orthodox Church UK website.

Methodist Church

The Methodist Church issued a statement on Ukraine from the Methodist Presidency on 25 February 2022, saying:

“We are horrified and heartbroken as we witness the violent assault on Ukraine by the Russian military. This devastating action and ensuing loss of life have rightly been condemned across the world. It is a very clear violation of the UN Charter and as such imperils the foundation upon which international security is built and on which we all depend.”

See the Methodist Church website for the full statement.

Methodist Church in Ireland

It has called on all Irish Methodists to pray for the crisis in Ukraine and has published a prayer on its website, which is also available as a Powerpoint.

Quakers in Britain

On 24 February 2022, the Quakers in Britain condemned the attack and called for an end to the fighting, saying it ‘is a grave development for humanity, and a violation of international law, including the Charter of the United Nations’.

Northern Friends Peace Board has compiled a list of resources to ‘increase understanding of the crisis and advocate peaceable action’.

Scottish Church Leaders Forum

A special ecumenical prayer for peace in Ukraine has been produced by the Scottish Church Leaders Forum in response to the invasion, and they “stand in solidarity with all those who face the perils of war and the fear that ensues when the bonds of peace are broken”.

Scottish Episcopal Church

On 24 February 2022, the Most Rev Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross & Caithness and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, spoke of the need for prayer, and issued a call to offer support to those most affected by the ongoing situation in Ukraine:

“Now our thoughts and prayers must be with those who woke to the sound of missiles exploding, with fear for their children on active duty, and for those families fleeing from fighting.

“As Christians we are called to be people of prayer. Our prayer is for peace, and also for the strength to offer ourselves in the service of others.

“Let us pray today for peace, and prepare ourselves to offer support where it is needed.”

The full statement plus a prayer produced by the Scottish Church Leaders Forum is available on the Scottish Episcopal Church website.

World Council of Churches (WCC)

On 24 February 2022, the WCC called for an immediate end to the current armed hostilities and ‘denounces any and every use of deadly armed force to resolve disputes that could be resolved by dialogue.’

 

 

 

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