DECR: Attempts to ban UOC are destroying Ukraine's unity

The Department for External Church Relations of the UOC stated that accusations of treason against the UOC, as well as attempts to ban the Church with millions of believers, only weaken Ukrainians from within and strengthen the enemy. 

The DECR noted that the UOC is always open to dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities to preserve inter-faith peace in the country.

"The Ukrainian Orthodox Church is open to dialogue with the state authorities and condemns any attempts to incite hatred on religious grounds, as well as manifestations of collaborationism. <...> The faithful and clergy of our Church are an integral part of the Ukrainian people. Therefore, today, a year after the beginning of this terrible war, we must all realize clearly that the confrontation of the Ukrainians on religious grounds is unacceptable," the DECR said.

At the same time, the UOC stressed that in a state governed by the rule of law, it is unacceptable to accuse believers of the Church of collaborationism without grounds:

"Attempts to form an opinion in Ukrainian society that the UOC as such is allegedly working for the enemy is nothing but an attempt to devalue the entire positive contribution of citizens who are our believers," the UOC added. - <...> The artificial identification of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with Russia is deliberately playing up to the enemy in justifying its military aggression in our land.”

As reported, the Primate of the UOC said that war is being waged against the Church to weaken Ukraine.