Persecution of the UOC priest is an attempt to incite sectarian conflict, – a representative of the Church

UOC believers felt perplexed to witness attacks on a village priest in some media and social networks. The cleric was accused of refusing to perform a funeral service for the dead woman just because she "confessed in the Ukrainian language." The incident occurred in the village of Sosnovka in Sumy region.

"The reposed indeed for some time used to be a parishioner of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, – said to the UOJ Sosnovka priest, Father Basil. – But then she expressed her desire to go to the Kiev Patriarchate".

In the village of Sosnovka, there is only one church, which has been in alternate usage by both communities, UOC and UOC-KP, for 8 years.

"It is not clear why the people who prefer the Kiev Patriarchate, and whose community head lives in close vicinity, suddenly wanted to go through the whole village to the head of the UOC community, to call for Father Basil to hold funeral service, – expressed his surprise one of the village residents. – In both cases, the funeral takes place at the same church. This looks like a provocation."

The UOC priest explained that he respected the will of the reposed who in her right mind preferred a different denomination. The KP cleric was available.

"What is the priest’s fault? Why spread rumors to be picked up by those who are interested in inciting sectarian conflict? – commented Archpriest George Prokopchuk, a cleric of the Ternopol diocese. – I would not recommend to gossip in general, and in relation to the clergy – in particular. The Lord sees everything."