“The resolve of our lawmakers to stand with Ukraine has wavered, despite the brutal persecution of Christians, particularly Baptists, the kidnapping of children, and the destruction of churches because of Russia’s unjust and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” she said. “Congress must look past any hesitation or obstinance and overcome division to swiftly pass such a package.”
Globally, religious freedom experts are concerned about the war’s effects on Ukraine’s faith communities.
“The Russian military has indiscriminately bombed churches, monasteries, kingdom halls,
mosques, synagogues, cemeteries, and other religious sites,” said Nury Turkel, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a quasi-governmental watchdog group, at a hearing in March, “and the Russian soldiers have abducted and tortured religious figures because of their leadership role.”
Darling said he and the other signatories realize “the details have to be worked out” but they chose to write to Johnson because of their desire to see continuing congressional and U.S. support of Ukraine, even as Baptist entities have spent millions in donations to support refugees now living outside the war-torn country.
“He has said he’s committed to doing it so I think he will,” Darling added. “But we wanted to encourage him as well and not just be another person just throwing stones at him but to say, hey, we’re supporting you, we care about you.”
This article originally appeared here.
