Filaret: Talks on United Regional Orthodox Church suspended
25/1/14
en.for-ua.com
Patriarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchy Filaret notes that talks with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy and Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church on unification of the churches have been suspended as the Russian Orthodox Church has forbidden both Churches to hold negotiations.
“We started preparing to the dialogue with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchy on unification, but Moscow forbade to hold talks, and the preparations stopped,” Filaret said in an interview with “Focus” newspaper.
The same situation concerns the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church.
“There have been three attempts to unite, but we see that it is not as independent as it is supposed to be and is controlled by the Moscow Patriarchy. We’ve suspended the dialogue, but keep the doors open for their bishops and parish,” he added.
Filaret also noted that they have good relations with the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, but not talks on unification has been held.
As reported, primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchy, Patriarch of Kyiv and all Rus’-Ukraine Filaret hopes that all orthodox churches will finally unite into one United Regional Orthodox Church.
The patriarch also expects that the Ukrainian people will overcome the split of orthodoxy in the country.
In turn, President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych points out the importance of unification of the Church in Ukraine.
All rights are reserved by © LTD. Inter-Media, ForUm 2001-2014.
