Representatives of All-Ukrainian Council of Churches meet with Groysman

On February 22, 2019, a meeting of members of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and religious organizations with the Prime Minister of Ukraine Vladimir Groysman took place in Kiev. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church was represented there by the vicar of the Kiev Metropolis Bishop Victor of Baryshevka and Protopriest Nikolai Danilevich, Deputy Chairman of the UOC Department for External Church Relations, reports UOC DECR.

Representatives of denominations and religious organizations of Ukraine discussed with the Prime Minister current issues and problems arising in the life of communities and in church-state relations.

The vicar of the Kiev Metropolis Bishop Victor of Baryshevka emphasized the commitments of Ukraine, as a legal and democratic state that has embarked on European integration, to ensure respect for not only basic human rights, but also European principles, among which is the autonomy of religious organizations.

However, the current situation, according to the bishop, shows that the active intervention of representatives of state authorities in the internal life of the Church violates not only this principle but also the Constitution of Ukraine, national and international legislation.

“Today we have to say out loud that our bishops and priests, who for decades have selflessly served and continue to serve God and the people of their homeland, their Ukrainian land are systematically made enemies of the Ukrainian state,” said Bishop Victor.

Vladyka also noted that the hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, when going abroad and on returning home, are forced to undergo enhanced control and interrogation. Almost daily, reports are received about the seizures of UOC temples in favor of another denomination. Such actions are accompanied by clashes and confrontation and in some cases beating of believers.

“We do not claim what belongs to other religious organizations but protect ours and ask not to take away from us what was built by our contemporaries and ancestors – long-prayed temples and monasteries,” said the vicar of the Kiev Metropolis.

At the same time, Bishop Victor assured that “our Church has been and will be constructively minded and open to any cooperation for the benefit of Ukraine and its people. ... We want to be proud of our Ukrainian state, in which there is law and justice, where everyone feels protected”.

Vladyka expressed the hope that wisdom, respect, and mutual understanding, from time immemorial inherent in Ukrainians, will become the key to achieving peace and unity in the Ukrainian state.

As the UOJ reported, in connection with massive violations of human rights and the threat of escalation of religious conflicts, the UOC called upon international institutions to influence the situation in Ukraine.