Head of New York Young Republicans condemns congressman for attacking UOC
According to the activist, instead of attacking an entire confession, the congressman should first learn what is happening to UOC believers in Ukraine.
On 17 November 2025, Stefano Ludaro Forte, head of the New York Young Republicans Club, responded on his X account (formerly Twitter) to Rep. Joe Wilson’s remarks about alleged “foreign influence” in American Orthodoxy.
In a second post, Forte accused Wilson of repeating propagandistic claims against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and ignoring the real facts of its persecution. According to the activist, instead of attacking an entire confession, the congressman should find out what UOC believers are actually facing in Ukraine.
Forte cited information that Ukrainian authorities are drafting monks to the front lines and confronted the politician with a pointed question: “The Ukrainian gov is conscripting monks to the frontlines, and you’re giving them cover?”
He also invited Wilson to meet with UOC priests and monks, adding that he is ready to personally arrange such a meeting: “Maybe instead of attacking a whole faith, meet with the priests and monks fighting to save their church. My DMs are open if you want to meet them. Your Christian constituents are watching.”
In Forte’s view, at a time when the UOC is experiencing unprecedented pressure, it is unacceptable for American politicians to side with the persecutors.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Serbian Church had accused The Hill of slandering its hierarch.
