Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich): Bill #4128 creates unprecedented ground for manipulation

Bill #4128 amending the Law of Ukraine "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations" as for the jurisdiction of the religious communities creates opportunities for large-scale "church raiding", which could affect any religious organization in Ukraine, said Chancellor of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Anthony of Borispol and Brovary to the portal 2000.ua, commenting on the appeal of the Verkhovna Rada to the Patriarch of Constantinople.

"This bill will create unprecedented ground for manipulation. If to exaggerate, after its adoption by the Verkhovna Rada, anyone can gain the right to decide the fate of any church. To do this they, for example, only need to attend once the religious service and say that they now identify themselves with the appropriate church community," said the Bishop.

"If, with the help of specially organized activities, once there is a sufficient number of such" believers", they may require the community to hold a meeting to consider an issue of transition of the parish to another denomination. The final chord is to ensure their numerical superiority at this meeting. And yet, the question is resolved. Resolved over the heads of those, who actually has the full right to decide the fate of their parish," explained Metropolitan Anthony.

He also said that the existing legislative framework is quite sufficient. "Existing legislation quite effectively regulates this issue. If we talk about our Church, those of the faithful who wanted to change their affiliation in a legitimate way, in accordance with the prescribed legal procedure, did it long ago. And there were no constrains in their way. Bill #4128 in turn creates opportunities for large-scale "church raiding", which could affect any religious organization in Ukraine," explained the Bishop.

Metropolitan Anthony believes that the adoption of bill #4128 will cause a negative reaction from the international community, since it contradicts the Constitution of Ukraine and violates human rights. "Specific responses can be different. I have read an expert opinion recently that the adoption of the bill could undermine the efforts of our country to attain a visa-free regime with the EU. It is quite real, because in Europe they closely monitor issues related to the violation of fundamental rights," he stressed.

"I am confident that the negative reaction should be expected from the international church structures. We have been recently visited by the delegation of the World Council of Churches. Within the framework of the relevant negotiations bill #4128 issue was touched upon. It caused deep concern among our foreign guests. According to them, the legislative initiative may adversely affect the undeniably important ministry and religious freedom of certain religious communities in our country," concluded the Bishop.

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