Chernovtsy Eparchy reps discuss with OSCE violation of UOC believers rights

The clergy of the Chernovtsy-Bukovina Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church have met with representatives of the OSCE Monitoring Mission

The meeting of clergymen of the Chernovtsy-Bukovina Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with representatives of the OSCE Monitoring Mission took place on February 22, 2019, reports the Information and Education Department of the UOC.

The meeting was devoted to the religious situation in the eparchy in connection with the creation of the OCU.

The priests reported violations of civil rights and freedoms, violent actions of supporters of the newly created religious organization against believers and the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, as well as cases of forcible transfer of parishes to the OCU, including with the participation of officials.

As the UOJ reported, in connection with numerous cases of human rights violations and the threat of escalation of religious conflicts, the head of the UOC Representative Office to European International Organizations Bishop Victor (Kotsaba) Baryshevka appealed to the officials of the UN, OSCE, EU and other countries to influence the situation in Ukraine.

Also, a special mission of the OSCE is monitoring the religious situation in Ukraine. It has already held meetings in Zaporozhye, Odessa, Pochaev, and Vinnitsa.

Read also

Metropolitan Longin to Zelensky: Release my son from TRC

Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) of Bancheny addressed an appeal to the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.

Prayers further offered for imprisoned UOJ journalists at Lavra's standing

People pray to the Lord to protect the "prisoners of conscience" from all sorrow, trouble, need, and illness.

Metropolitan Theodosiy's house arrest extended

The bishop participated in the hearing via videoconference, but opponents of the UOC were active near the courthouse.

Poll: Uniates and supporters of OCU are the most in favor of banning UOC

Among non-religious respondents, every fifth person is indifferent to this issue.

Dumenko and Zoria discuss combating "Russian World" with Minister of Culture

Tochytskyi and representatives of the OCU discussed countering Russia’s attempts to destroy Ukraine's national identity.

Greek theologian: Religious situation in Ukraine divides Orthodoxy

According to the Greek theologian, "many Ukrainian Orthodox worshippers have been hesitant to leave the church under the Moscow Patriarchate and join the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine, fearing a potential excommunication for being schismatics."