Fact Check: "Greek Catholicism is Ukraine's second-largest Christian denomination, with 10% of the population."
What We Know
The claim that Greek Catholicism is Ukraine's second-largest Christian denomination, comprising approximately 10% of the population, is supported by multiple sources. According to the International Religious Freedom Report 2002, around 10% of Ukrainians identified as members of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), which translates to about 4.5 to 5 million individuals at that time. Additionally, a more recent source, the Religion in Ukraine article, indicates that about 8% of Ukrainians identify as Greek Catholics, while the overall Catholic population (including Latin Catholics) accounts for approximately 9%. This suggests that Greek Catholicism remains a significant religious presence in Ukraine.
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust. The International Religious Freedom Report is a credible source published by the U.S. Department of State, which provides detailed insights into religious demographics and practices in various countries, including Ukraine. The report's figures from 2002 align with the more recent statistics found in the Wikipedia article on Religion in Ukraine, which cites surveys indicating that 8% of the population identifies as Greek Catholic.
Moreover, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church's Wikipedia page confirms that the UGCC is indeed the second-largest religious organization in Ukraine by number of communities, further validating the claim. The UGCC's historical context, having been formed in 1596 and experiencing significant challenges during the Soviet era, adds depth to its current standing as a major denomination.
However, it's important to note that the percentage of Greek Catholics has been reported variably, with some sources indicating it could be slightly lower than 10%. The Catholic Church in Ukraine article suggests that the UGCC's membership is around 4.2 million, which aligns with the earlier estimates but indicates a slight decrease in percentage terms when considering the total population.
Overall, while there may be minor discrepancies in the exact percentage, the consensus across multiple reputable sources confirms that Greek Catholicism is indeed the second-largest Christian denomination in Ukraine.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Greek Catholicism is Ukraine's second-largest Christian denomination, with approximately 10% of the population, is substantiated by credible sources. While there may be slight variations in reported percentages, the overall consensus supports the assertion that the UGCC plays a significant role in Ukraine's religious landscape.
