THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE UKRAINIAN GREEK CATHOLIC CHURCH) IN ENSURING RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

Abstract

The article examines the role of religious leaders (on the Example of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) in ensuring and maintaining religious tolerance in contemporary society. The relevance of this topic is driven by the growing importance of interreligious dialogue, the increasing confessional diversity, and the need to develop effective mechanisms for preventing religious conflicts in a globalized world. Religious leaders are considered important actors in the socio-political process, capable of influencing the formation of believers’ value orientations, social attitudes, and the level of interfaith interaction. Theoretical approaches to defining the concept of religious tolerance, its essential characteristics, and its main functions in ensuring social stability are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the role of spiritual authorities in processes of social communication, the formation of a culture of dialogue, and the reduction of conflict potential in the religious sphere. It is emphasized that religious leaders act as intermediaries between religious communities and society, promoting the dissemination of ideas of mutual respect, tolerance, and coexistence. The article also considers practical examples of religious institutions’ activities in the field of interfaith dialogue, as well as their impact on the formation of civic culture and social cohesion. It is determined that the effectiveness of ensuring religious tolerance largely depends on the level of responsibility of religious leaders, their openness to cooperation, and their capacity for constructive communication. The study concludes that religious leaders play a key role in strengthening interfaith peace and fostering a tolerant social environment. Their activities constitute an important factor in preventing religiously motivated conflicts and in developing a culture of mutual respect in multi-confessional societies.