Ukrainian Law Threatens to Eliminate Orthodox Church, Says Patriarch Kirill

DECR and OCP News Service – 25/08/2024

Moscow- Russia: His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia has condemned the recent law passed by the Ukrainian Parliament that restricts the activities of the autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In a series of messages to the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches, religious leaders, and representatives of international organizations, Patriarch Kirill denounced the law as a “legislative ban” on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The Patriarch highlighted the “blatant contradictions” between the law and the norms of the Ukrainian Constitution, international agreements, human rights, and fundamental principles of law. He criticized the Ukrainian government’s anti-church policy and the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s clergy and faithful.

Patriarch Kirill called upon the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches to offer prayers for the persecuted Ukrainian Orthodox Church and to raise their voices in defense of the Church. He also appealed to the heads of non-Orthodox Churches and religious organizations to condemn the religious discrimination and violence occurring against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

The Patriarch attached a statement from the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, which condemns the law and outlines the Church’s official position on the current situation.

Source:

OCP News Service