MP: By banning the UOC, we are not fighting religion
Nikita Poturaev. Photo: vesti.ua
On April 10, 2023, Nikita Poturaev, MP from the Servant of the People party, chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy, said that by banning the UOC, the authorities are not fighting religion.
In an interview with Ukrinform, Poturaev answered a journalist's question about how Europeans and the whole world, for whom "freedom of religion is one of the greatest values," will look at the ban on the UOC.
Poturaev agreed that freedom of conscience is “a basic freedom that was enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights back in 1947.”
“This is one of the fundamental human freedoms, which should be recognized by all countries. In this sense, Ukraine does not violate anything, because we are not fighting religion, we are not fighting believers. This is not the subject of any bill currently registered in the Verkhovna Rada,” Poturaev said.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote that according to Poturaev, European practice requires that decisions such as the eviction of Lavra monks “have judicial confirmation.”
Read also
Synod of Ukrainian Orthodox Church сanonizes Blessed John Pokhodenchyk
In July of this year, the Commission on the Canonization of Saints reviewed materials regarding the glorification of the ascetic from the Kirovohrad region.
November 2 – International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists
Over six months ago, UOJ Orthodox journalists were arrested and placed in detention, facing life sentences for covering the religious situation in Ukraine.
Met. Longin’s lawyer: Judges wanted to ban video recording of the trial
After the judge decided to conduct the session 'in camera', Metropolitan Longin suffered a heart attack.
Odesa UOC Eparchy: "We can no longer be silent; we will defend the Church"
The press service of the Odesa Eparchy commented on the statement regarding the ROC's actions toward dioceses in occupied territories.
OCU cathedral in Lutsk decorated with frescoes of businessmen
Due to criticism of this initiative, the images had to be redone.
Yelensky on UOC bishops’ statement: We expect an exit from the ROC, not talks
The DESS head suggested that the Primate did not support this statement, as he hadn't put his signature on it.