Sept. 14, 2025, 11:11 p.m.
(Photo: Intent/Natalia Dovbysh)
Bishop Stanislav Shyrokoradiuk of the Diocese of Odesa and Simferopol of the Roman Catholic Church speaks of corruption as a sin and the greed of the authorities. Catholics in Crimea cannot even pray for peace, and in Odesa they are not being returned their homes. In the interview, he touches upon hot topics ranging from the conflict at the Ukrainian Catholic University to the conditions of reconciliation with Russia. We also talked about the possible visit of Pope Leo XIV to Ukraine, and why the saints have an Odesa character.
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Watch the full interview on Intent's YouTube channel
You are the bishop of the Diocese of Odesa and Simferopol. How do you keep in touch with Crimea?
My auxiliary bishop remained in Crimea. Eight priests and three nuns stayed with him. We keep in touch via WhatsApp, social media, and phone. That is, the church fulfills its mission there, but with great problems. People need us, we have 13 parishes there, and all of them are subordinate to the Odesa-Simferopol Diocese, that is, to me.
What are the main problems they face?
We have a very delicate bishop. He speaks only about the Gospel, about holy deeds, the church. He doesn't say a word about politics, and you can't even pray for peace, because in Russia "there is no war," "the liberation operation is ongoing," and so on. Therefore, the task of priests in Crimea is to stay with the people, not to engage in politics, not to fight the regime, because it makes no sense. But to proclaim the word of God, and they do that.
How do you see the role of the Catholic Church in uniting the society that is currently experiencing war, corruption threats, and so on?
The church has always had its own task. It does not change from what it is - to proclaim the Holy Scriptures. People must remember their dignity and the salvation of their souls. We will stand before God one day, whether through war, accident, or natural death. And we tell people that they should always be prepared for this.
But I would not say that we can unite people, say, through worship, through the word of God. Because you can't force people into church. Today, only a select few come who really want to know Christianity.
Social work unites more people. The church does good deeds-thousands of people receive humanitarian aid on a regular basis.
And of course, prayer for peace, for our Ukraine, unites us. If we all pray together, we will ask for this blessed peace for our people.
PHOTO: Intent, Natalia Dovbysh
You call corruption an insatiable locust. In your opinion, how can the Christian community and churches effectively confront this spiritual challenge in practice?
I addressed this topic when I was on the Maidan. For example, stop paying for grades at universities and educational institutions. I know a story when a student came to the dean and said:
- "Listen, I'm not going to give money for exams.
- Why?
- Because I am a Catholic, my priest forbade me to. It's a sin, it's supporting corruption.
- Okay, then don't pay, but don't tell anyone that you're doing this.
A lot depends on us. If you work, say, as an assistant prosecutor and you know that the case is falsified, then you are supporting corruption. You should quit your job.
You note that the lack of conversion among people is the cause of crises. How can the church promote this conversion in the context of today's Ukraine, where many people are experiencing the trauma of war and distrust?
It is difficult to say this, but the danger of death makes people convert. And people who have never been to confession, especially the military, come and say: "I don't know what will happen to me, but please confess me, I want to be forgiven of my sins." This is conversion.
But when everything is fine, people don't think about it. I talked to a farmer from the Mykolaiv region when all his work was destroyed by drought and locusts. He complained that last year he had a huge harvest. I asked him: "Did you thank God for it then?" We do not think about God, and this is our problem.
How to talk about this with people? I don't know. In Odesa, perhaps, you have to preach on the sea (laughs - ed.). I have seen such pastoral care in Italy, when people are vacationing in the mountains, a priest comes, sets up a mobile chapel, rings bells, and people come to church on Sunday. That is, the church follows people.
Or maybe we should come to the markets? This is the biggest "shrine" on Sunday. No one remembers God. People use this holy day for trade. So where can we get God's blessing? And God is waiting for us. Come, tell your problems, and those who go regularly feel how God really helps.
You have experience of meeting St. John Paul II. You noted his humor and accessibility. In what way do you consider these traits crucial in spiritual leadership, especially in times of crisis?
You know, he was a well-rounded person. He had an original humor. It was not something artificial, it was natural. But this is a feature of all saints. Holy people are always cheerful - take St. Francis or St. Clara. John Paul II enjoyed life. He saw his brother in every person, spoke frankly, and loved to cheer up his interlocutor.
It's so Odessan.
Yes, in the Odesa way (laughs - ed.).
PHOTO: Intent, Natalia Dovbysh
In your speeches you say: "to pray, yes, but also to act". What specific initiatives (social, charitable, environmental) does the diocese coordinate or support today?
Yes, we have special organizations for this purpose. For example, I founded Caritas, which has an official history since 1996. We created family-type homes for orphans. In Kharkiv, I created three homes for single mothers. I believe that abortions should not be performed, it is a sin. In the first house I had 25 such girls and 35 children. We created our own kindergarten where a woman could leave her child, go to work, and so on. We created homes for the elderly. This is a very big investment in a person. In a person who was abandoned.
I'm not talking about these huge trucks that we drive and then distribute everything. This is very material, but it is also necessary. Every Tuesday and Thursday we have a line here to get a food package worth about 800 UAH.
We also have opportunities to help students who want to study but have no money. We have created dormitories for them, and we have scholarships. So we don't just pray.
You collected signatures for a petition stating that Roman Catholics in Odesa have not yet received their buildings. Why do you think the state is delaying their return?
This shows the deplorable moral state of government officials. No one thinks about restitution and justice. For them, there are only their own interests: pay and we'll settle everything. But we cannot do this not only because we have no money, but because we do not support corruption. Our buildings are historical property. We don't even claim everything. We are talking about the part of the building where children study. We have music and Sunday schools there. We want these premises to be given to us for free permanent use, not even ownership. But there is no one to talk to, everyone points at each other, and everything comes down to Kyiv. That's where the center of corruption is.
Tell us about the problems with the authorities.
The main problem is that we have no premises. Our building is standing, we can't even take it for permanent use. Instead, we rent at least eight different places where we pay rent to help people. Is this fair? We pay $10-12 per square meter. And we ask our sponsors: "Not only give us this help, but also let us pay for the place where we will distribute it." How can I explain this?
Right now we have a huge problem with military veterans who come to us. They need rehabilitation. I'm ready to set up a center where they can be admitted and treated. We have practice in this, we know how to do it and we have specialists, but no one wants to provide the premises. It seems to me that not only is there no patriotism or morality here, there is just some kind of greed.
For example, the restoration of our cathedral took 18 years because it was completely destroyed. And now concerts are held here, we provide a place for organ music and singers. That is, in addition to having six services every Sunday, we also plan concert activities for people to develop culturally. At least Odesa appreciates something. Let them at least know God through art.
Would you like the Pope to come to Ukraine?
I would like it very much. I have already met with Leo XIV. He is a completely different pope. He is not as original as Francis, and not as funny as John Paul II. By the way, Pope Francis had a behavior that we did not always like, we did not understand it. And this one is so delicate that one gets the impression that he is shy, very cautious. If such a person would come to us, bless our land, then surely that war would stop destroying everything that is being done today.
Are there Catholic circles in the West that speak of the need for reconciliation with Russia? And how do you personally understand Christian forgiveness in a situation where the war is still ongoing and crimes are being committed every day?
The question of forgiveness is always relevant. We pray: "Our Father, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive." That is, we are ready to forgive, but tell me, to whom? Who is asking us for this forgiveness? We are asked: "Put your head up, we will kill you." And when they talk about reconciliation, we say: okay, but reconciliation has its conditions. Yes, God is merciful, He forgives, but first, realize your sin. Have a firm intention not to do it again. Repent for this sin, confess it, and make amends. These are the conditions. And God forgives. Please tell me, is Russia ready to do this? Is the enemy fascist Russia ready to say that yes, we have realized the sin, we ask for your forgiveness? If we heard this, most people would probably realize it. Will the Russian people ever realize this? Or is this a curse that falls on many generations because the innocent blood that was shed calls for revenge from heaven?
Recently, the director Natalka Vorozhbyt said that her daughter was not admitted to the college of the Ukrainian Catholic University because of the LGBT flag on social media. What is your attitude to this situation?
You know, we tolerate everyone. If someone comes to me for confession, I do not ask about their orientation. If you want to be forgiven for your sins, that's your right. But when this person advertises their sin, puts up the LGBT flag, and not only does not repent, but also encourages others, how can this be accepted? UCU is a Catholic university, it is morality. This is how we defend ourselves, and someone comes, whether on their own initiative or paid for, because most of the time these masquerades are paid for, and wants to make an advertisement. Well, fine, do it, but not at UCU. This is not the right place. And I believe that the institution did everything right. I don't want the children who study there to see this. By the way, LGBT stole their flag from the pacifists and changed it a little bit. And it was really a good idea of the peace activists. And LGBT people stole this idea and turned it upside down.
With this material, Intent continues a series of video conversations with clergy from southern Ukraine. The purpose of this series is to show as broad and complete a picture of religious life as possible.
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