Clergy of Vinnitsa fully support decisions of UOC Bishops' Council
An emergency meeting of the clergy of the UOC ofVinntsa held on November 15, fully supported Met. Onufry and took a statement to Met. Simeon of Vinnitsa and Bar.
The participants in the meeting, including the Vinnitsa eparchy’s abbot and two abbesses, expressed their full support for the decisions of the Council of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on November 13, which their ruling bishop, Metropolitan Simeon (Shostatsky) of Vinnitsa and Bar, refused to sign, reports “Strana.ua”.
The priests of Vinnitsa suggested that Metropolitan Simeon (Shostatsky) convene a general meeting for the eparchy.
The statement was signed by 42 of the 44 present. The meeting was called and came together in the span of only a few hours, and others who could not come expressed their support by phone. Several participants in the meeting even said that they intend to cease commemorating Met. Simeon in the services.
The emergency clergy meeting was called because the ruling hierarch of the Vinnytsia Diocese, His Eminence Metropolitan Simeon (Shostatsky), an open supporter of Constantinople’s plans to create an autocephalous church, was the sole hierarch present on November 13 who did not sign the resolutions of the Council of Bishops. He said he didn’t agree with some of its points, in particular, the need to repent for schismatics.
