UOC bishops given invitation to “Unification Council” by local authorities

Head of the Rovno Regional State Administration A. Muliarenko summoned the bishops of the UOC to deliver the invitations of Patriarch Bartholomew to the "Unification Council"

The head of the Rovno Regional State Administration Alexei Muliarenko tried to give an invitation to the “Unification Council” to Bishop Pimen of Dubno, reports a UOJ correspondent. However, Vladyka refused.

On December 6, an official meeting of the vicar of the Rovno eparchy of the UOC Bishop Pimen of Dubno with the head of the Rovno region took place in the building of the Rovno Regional State Administration. According to Vladyka, they talked about the situation in Ukraine and shared their impressions of the latest church events. After the conversation, Alexei Muliarenko tried to hand over to the hierarch an invitation to the “Unification Council” from Patriarch Bartholomew, but Bishop Pimen refused and explained his position.
“I think this is an exclusively church matter, and therefore, such invitations should be passed by Church-related people,” Bishop Pimen of Dubno commented. “I have a leader, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry, and if I accept the invitation to the “Unification Council”, it will be exclusively from his hands.”

A similar invitation was given by the head of the RSA Alexei Muliarenko to Metropolitan Anatoly of Sarny and Polesye. According to the UOC eparchy’s official website, Vladyka Anatoly accepted the invitation.

On December 5, a mass interrogation of priests of the Rovno eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church took place at the Rovno National Security Office. The clergy were charged under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Art. 111 - Treason and Art. 161 - Incitement of interfaith enmity.

After the interrogation, the clergy of the eparchy held a briefing for the media. During the briefing, the vicar bishop of the eparchy, Bishop Pimen (Voyat) of Dubno stated that he still does not plan to take part in the “Unification Council”.

The head of the Rovno Regional State Administration Alexei Muliarenko tried to give an invitation to the “Unification Council” to Bishop Pimen of Dubno, reports a UOJ correspondent. However, Vladyka refused.

On December 6, an official meeting of the vicar of the Rovno eparchy of the UOC Bishop Pimen of Dubno with the head of the Rovno region took place in the building of the Rovno Regional State Administration. According to Vladyka, they talked about the situation in Ukraine and shared their impressions of the latest church events. After the conversation, Alexei Muliarenko tried to hand over to the hierarch an invitation to the “Unification Council” from Patriarch Bartholomew, but Bishop Pimen refused and explained his position.

“I think this is an exclusively church matter, and therefore, such invitations should be passed by Church-related people,” Bishop Pimen of Dubno commented. “I have a leader, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry, and if I accept the invitation to the “Unification Council”, it will be exclusively from his hands.”

Metropolitan Anatoly of Sarny and Polesye was also given a similar invitation by the head of the RSA Alexei Muliarenko. According to the UOC eparchy’s official website, Vladyka Anatoly accepted the invitation.

On December 5, a mass interrogation of priests of the Rovno eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church took place at the Rovno National Security Office. The clergy were charged under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Art. 111 - Treason and Art. 161 - Incitement of interfaith enmity.

After the interrogation, the clergy of the eparchy held a briefing for the media. During the briefing, the vicar bishop of the eparchy, Bishop Pimen (Voyat) of Dubno stated that he still does not plan to take part in the “Unification Council”.

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