Metropolitan Longin: I will defend my rights in UN and EuroParliament
The bishop stated that he intends to appeal to international organizations to protect his rights, as well as the rights of Ukrainians affected by persecution of the UOC.
Metropolitan Longin (Zhar) of the UOC (Ukrainian Orthodox Church) stated that he intends to appeal to the European Parliament and the United Nations to protect his rights, as well as the rights of the Ukrainian people who suffer due to the persecutions of the UOC. He made this statement in an address published on the YouTube channel of the Bancheny Monastery.
The hierarch noted that he would request permission from the court to travel abroad to have the opportunity to address the relevant international organizations.
Commenting on the criminal case in which he is accused of "inciting interreligious discord," Metropolitan Longin stated that he doesn't even know what he is being charged with or whom he may have offended.
According to him, the victims are the UOC congregation and the Ukrainian people, who don't even know why they have to suffer.
"Those who 'suffered' from me are not present in court. I have never seen them – neither during the investigation nor today in court. I don't know what I'm being charged with, whom I may have offended. Today, we are the victims, and we are suffering – the UOC congregation, my people. The state, the law, and the Constitution should protect each of us. [...] We need to unite now. I think it's a great shame. It's shameful that our Church and our people are suffering so much today," he said during a court recess.
As the UOJ reported, the case of Metropolitan Longin was sent to court.
