Political PR heresy grows into religious conflicts, - expert

Draft law 4511 demonstrates that the current power views the Church just as an economic and political asset. It was told by Ruslan Bortnik, executive director of the Ukrainian Institute for Politics Analysis and Management at the round table “Legislative regulation of the religious sphere in Ukraine: current issues and challenges.”

In draft law 4511 Mr. Bortnik outlined three novelties: a particular status of the Churches subordinated to the canonic structures in aggressor states; re-registration of such Churches; coordination of appointments of their chiefs with a special body.

“Apparently, such innovations contradict Article 135 of the Constitution of Ukraine in terms of the Church separation from the state and non-interference of the state into the Church matters, believes the expert. – Besides, they run counter to Article 3 of the Law of Ukraine “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations”, since they discriminate one part of Churches and violate the equality principle of all church organizations.”

Mr. Bortnik is confident that such legal regulation jeopardizes all denominations, since the definition of “administrative centers”, situated in an aggressor state, can refer to 80% of recognized religious organizations. Any deterioration of diplomatic relations may result in the definition being attributed to whatever religious center and religious organization in Ukraine.

“This draft law is an indicator of the Church being viewed upon as an economic and political asset, says the expert. – Yet the political PR heresy is highly likely to grow into religious conflicts.”

The round table was held on September 8 under the aegis of Interfaction Association “Deputy’s Association on Reforming Tax, Customs and Land Law in Ukraine.”