Ukrainian priests are due to be granted British Visas to let them provide pastoral care for those escaping the country to the UK.
The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in London allowed permission to sponsor ‘minister of religion’ visas for entry to the country which will end a four month wait for a decision.
After Rt Rev Kenneth Nowakowski, the church’s bishop, expressed concerns about delays in processing its application submitted last November, faith minister, Kemi Badenoch then intervened.
The new visas will give the right for priests to move to the UK and work in parishes and in crisis centres, expected to be set up by the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London.
In a letter to Ms Badenoch on Friday, Bishop Nowakowski said: “I want to thank you and your team for raising my concern regarding the Eparchy’s sponsor licence application that we had submitted in November of last year and had been patiently waiting for so that we could sponsor clergy under the Minister of Religion T2 visa.
“I want to share that, thanks to you and your intervention, we have now received this long-awaited document.
“This will help us to provide pastoral care not only for our current parishioners in the United Kingdom but also for those who are fleeing Ukraine and will come to the UK for shelter and safety.”
Priests applying for the visa will have to show their knowledge of the English language and have at least £1,270 in their bank account to prove that they can support themselves whilst in the UK.
SOURCE: PREMIER CHRISTIAN NEWS