Pastor-pedophile from Mariupol imprisoned for 13 years

November 14, Primorsky District Court of Mariupol convicted the pastor for seducing and raping minor girls, reports the press service of the Prosecutor's Office of Donetsk region.

In total, according to the investigation, the pastor raped and seduced 13 girls.

The case was heard in court for the second time. The previous sentence, according to which the offender was sentenced to 10 years in prison, was overturned on the Prosecutor's Office appeal because of the leniency of the penalties imposed.

"From 1996 to 2012 the 65-year-old pastor was a bishop of the church of Jesus Christ in the city of Mariupol. From 1999 to 2012 he seduced and forced to have sexual intercourse in natural and unnatural ways with minor and young girls who attended the church. For this, he promised the children absolution," reported the press service of the Prosecutor's Office.

For offenses under articles "the rape of a minor or of a young child", "forcible sexual assault by unnatural means, committed against a minor and a young child" and "seduction of minors" the accused was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

As reported by the UOJ, a Brazilian priest who was the subject of a film about pedophiles hanged himself in prison.

Read also

New men’s monastery founded in UOC's Oleksandriia Eparchy

The Holy Transfiguration monastery will become a center of prayer and spiritual care in the region.

European Parliament conors memory of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania

For the first time, the European Parliament hosted an event dedicated to the life and works of the late Primate of the Albanian Church.

UN seeks to include abortion and gender ideology in “children’s rights”

In Geneva, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is considering a draft that proposes to enshrine for minors the right to abortion and gender transition without parental consent.

Surveillance camera aimed at Orthodox school near Cherkasy removed – believers

Unknown individuals posing as electricians installed a camera opposite the entrance to an Orthodox gymnasium. After the police were called, the device disappeared.

Crosses removed from churches and Christians arrested in China – media

UCA News reported that the authorities have stepped up repression of Christians as part of the campaign of the “Sinicization of religions.”

Pashinyan signs a “roadmap for renewing the Armenian Church”

The prime minister was supported by 10 hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church.