Head of State Ethnopolitics: Ukraine is a role model in the religious matter
Viktor Yelensky. Photo: lb.ua
Viktor Yelensky, the head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, noted that today Ukraine is an example for Eastern and Western countries in terms of freedom of conscience, democracy and openness in religious matters. The official stated this on the radio "Culture" on January 3, 2023.
At the same time, Yelensky emphasized that one should not equate freedom of conscience with tolerance towards Russian aggression.
“When we say that we will defend the freedom of conscience for everyone, the opportunity to adequately express their religious feelings by everyone, this does not mean the possibility of the activities of the Moscow Patriarchate structures here, which could be channels of influence of the aggressor country,” explained the head of the State Ethnopolitics.
He also recalled that the structures and religious associations of the UOC should "separate from the Moscow Patriarchate."
Three factors should push them to this: “popular indignation, resentment among the priests themselves <…> and pressure from the state.”
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that according to Yelensky, only one Orthodox Church should remain in Ukraine.
Read also
Kniazhytsky: DESS attempts to discredit Law 8371
Kniazhytsky asserts that only Moscow lobbyists can claim that Law 8371 does not comply with international law.
Appellate Court: UOC has no rights to Yelets Convent in Chernihiv
The UOC is required to return the Yelets Convent to the Ministry of Culture and remove obstacles to accessing the sanctuary.
UOC priest and combat medic about how many believers support the frontline
According to Archimandrite Joasaph, his main task at the frontline is to ensure survival.
Vatican excommunicates Archbishop Carlo Viganò from RCC for schism
The former papal nuncio to the U.S. is subject to the most severe punishment in the Catholic Church: he is forbidden from communicating with the faithful and is denied access to the sacraments.
Statements by AFU soldiers against the ban on the UOC reminded online
The military called on deputies not to take rash steps that could harm the unity and security of the country.
Criminal сases initiated against experts in UOJ case and UOC priest
The activities of experts Eduard Lytvynenko and Svitlana Dolynkivska will be investigated by the National Police and the State Bureau of Investigations (DBR).