The Nordic church leaders were co-hosted by the Ukrainian Lutheran and Orthodox church leaders. Photo: Orthodox Church of Ukraine
Joint statement by Lutheran and Orthodox church leaders following a visit to Ukraine
(LWI) – Leaders of Lutheran and Orthodox churches in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have denounced the forcible transfer of thousands of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation, calling it a “profound violation” of human dignity, and an assault on “the sanctity of childhood” and family bonds.
In a joint statement following their 30 September - 2 October visit to Ukraine, the Nordic bishops described the forced displacement and re-education of Ukrainian children in the Russian Federation, as “a deep wound inflicted upon the image of God itself.”
They were in the country at the invitation of Bishop Pavlo Shvarts of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ukraine, a member church of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF), and the Orthodox Church leader, Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine.
Citing findings from Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab, the bishops noted that at least 19,500 Ukrainian children have been displaced, but the true number “likely exceeds what one investigation can capture.” They stressed that these acts breach both international law and the moral imperatives of Christian teaching, and “may constitute crimes against humanity.”
The church leaders called on the Russian Federation to immediately cease all strikes on Ukraine and stop the forced transfers, while appealing for collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross “in facilitating reunification with families and return to territories of origin.”
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Bishop Guðrún Karls Helgudóttir from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland, who was part of the delegation, said the bishops are deeply concerned about the long-term effects of the war on children and young people in Ukraine. “This is a whole generation growing up with the war, experiencing trauma almost every day and this will likely impact their whole lives,” she said. “Then there are the children who have been taken away, and we are really worried about this, as we don’t know what will happen to them,” she added.
The Icelandic church leader said she was particularly struck by the resilience of people living through the war in Ukraine. Reflecting on her hopes for the outcome of the Nordic bishops’ visit, she said: “Firstly I hope that people in the churches and wider society can see that we stand with them and want to do whatever we can to help them. Secondly, it was important for us to see the work that the churches are doing all over the country and to get a clearer picture of the ways in which we can support them.”
Children are not instruments of war or political ideology but bearers of the divine image, deserving protection and preservation of their identity, family bonds, and cultural heritage.
Nordic Bishops’ Statement
Reaffirming their commitment to stand with the vulnerable, the bishops concluded: “Children are not instruments of war or political ideology but bearers of the divine image, deserving protection and preservation of their identity, family bonds, and cultural heritage.”
In a second joint statement the church leaders highlighted the severe humanitarian consequences of the war, including loss of life, trauma, and displacement, and emphasized the need for continued support from Nordic governments, civil society, and churches. They commended the unity and resilience of Ukrainian faith communities and expressed their commitment to assisting the pursuit of “a sustainable and just peace.”
Bishop Shvarts expressed gratitude for the visit, “at a time when our country is suffering from constant attacks that every day destroy our cities and villages and kill innocent people.” He underlined the unique opportunity to “share our own experience of faith and the source of hope that helps us endure suffering, and the chance to experience unity in Christ as part of the LWF.
The joint statements are signed by Nordic LWF member church leaders: Bishop Peter Skov-Jakobsen, Diocese of Copenhagen, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Denmark; Archbishop Tapio Luoma, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland; Bishop Gudrún Karls Helgudóttir, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland; Presiding Bishop Olav Fykse Tveit, Church of Norway ; Archbishop emeritus Antje Jackelén, Church of Sweden ; and Archbishop Elia, Archbishop of Helsinki and All Finland, Orthodox Church of Finland.
The LWF is part of the Stand Up with Children in War global campaign of faith-based actors advocating for the protection of children in war.
