In Lviv region, one Greek Catholic community seizes a church from another
Breaking locks and an attempted takeover of church premises by supporters of an excommunicated priest have escalated a long-standing conflict between UGCC communities.
On 17 November 2025, in the village of Prylbichi in Lviv region, parishioners of the UGCC reported an attempted forcible seizure of a church by supporters of a movement associated with excommunicated priest Vasyl Kovpak. The incident was reported by ZAXID.NET.
According to eyewitnesses, a group of Kovpak’s followers – members of a traditionalist movement not recognized by the Catholic Church – tried to gain access to the service premises of the church. Breaking the locks and attempting to enter triggered yet another conflict with the other UGCC community, after which the police were called to the scene.
Representatives of one community claim that Kovpak’s supporters are attempting to regain control of the church which, according to priest Andriy Stadnytsky, they had tried to seize before. He states that the church legally belongs to the UGCC and accuses his opponents of using “sectarian methods.”
At the same time, local residents note that the conflict has been ongoing for many years. Both groups of Greek Catholics hold services in turns and regularly accuse each other of provocations, pressure and violations.
Police reported that order was ensured at the scene and that information about the incident has been entered into the unified registry of reports.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Shevchuk called the corruption scandal “a pain in the hearts of Ukrainians.”
