Ban on the UOC-MP: Metropolitan Klyment reacts
20 August 2024 19:16
The UOC-MP has responded to the ban on religious organisations associated with Russia in Ukraine. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" reports with reference to “Hromadske TV channel.
According to the head of the UOC Information and Education Department, Metropolitan Klyment, the bill may prohibit the UOC-MP, but the Ukrainian Orthodox Church does not have the MP prefix. He claims that the law voted for today is no longer about the church itself, but about its property.
“The Ukrainian Orthodox Church will continue to live as a true church, recognised by the overwhelming majority of practising Ukrainian believers and local churches around the world. Any attempts to ban an objective thing will lead to discredit, including international discredit, of those who want to implement it somehow,” said Metropolitan Klyment.
He also stressed that this law applies to religious organisations affiliated with foreign centres. According to the hierarch, the UOC has no administrative ties with foreign centres.
It should be noted that on 20 August, the Verkhovna Rada banned the activities of religious organisations in Ukraine that have ties with the Russian Federation. The decision was made without discussion. Communities of the UOC-MP will have 9 months to sever ties with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC).
The majority of votes in favour came from the Servants of the People. The Platform for Life and Peace faction received the most votes against. In total, 265 MPs supported the decision.
The decision to ban the activities of the UOC-MP was commented on even President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky commented on the decision.
“The law on our spiritual independence has been adopted. This is what we discussed with members of the Council of Churches and Religious Organisations. And the other day I will talk with representatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. We will continue to strengthen Ukraine and our society,” Zelensky said.
