Priests allowed into UK on religion visas

UKRAINIAN priests will be granted British visas to allow them to provide pastoral care for those fleeing the country for the UK.

The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in London has been granted permission to sponsor “minister of religion” visas for entry to the country, ending a fourmonth wait for a decision.

Kemi Badenoch, the faith minister, intervened last week after the Right Rev Kenneth Nowakowski, the Church’s bishop, expressed concerns about delays in processing its application, which was submitted in November.

The visas will allow priests to move to the UK to work in parishes as well as in a crisis centre expected to be set up at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in central London.

A source said priests will be able to help with “advice and support” for Ukrainians fleeing the conflict.

In a letter to Ms Badenoch on Friday, Bishop Nowakowski said: “It was a pleasure to meet with you at our cathedral in central London on Mar 9, 2022. Your presence at the meeting and your words of solidarity with the people of Ukraine was very welcome.

“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.”

He added: “I want to share that thanks to you and your intervention we have now received this long awaited for 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.”

According to government criteria, priests can apply for a minister of religion visa if they have been offered a job and have a certificate of sponsorship – which the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy in London will now be able to provide.

Those applying for such a visa must also prove their knowledge of English and have at least £1,270 in their bank account to demonstrate that they can support themselves in the UK.

‘This will help us to provide pastoral care for those who are fleeing Ukraine and will come to the UK for shelter’