Russian Orthodox Church Accuses Ukrainian Government of Religious Persecution

DECR and OCP News Service – 25/08/2024

Moscow- Russia: The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church has issued a strong condemnation of a recent law passed by the Ukrainian Parliament that restricts the activities of the autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In a statement released on August 22, 2024, the Synod described the law as a “political declaration aimed at legalizing the destruction of the religious community of the majority of the population.”

The Synod accused the Ukrainian government of a “systematic, step-by-step” campaign to weaken, split, and destroy the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. They highlighted the ongoing persecution of the Church’s members, including arrests, seizures of church property, and restrictions on religious services.

The statement also criticized the role of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople in exacerbating the church schism in Ukraine. The Synod accused the Patriarch of supporting the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and called him “personally responsible for orchestrating the persecutions against the faithful.”

The Russian Orthodox Church called on international human rights organizations to intervene and condemn the oppression of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. They expressed their belief that the Church would ultimately prevail, despite the current challenges.

Source:

OCP News Service