UOC lawyer: Church can be renamed only by its Bishops’ Council
Head of the Law Department of the UOC Protopriest Alexander Bakhov
Only its governing body, the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and certainly not the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, can be in a position to rename the canonical Church, Protopriest Alexander Bakhov, head of the Law Department of the UOC, said on Facebook.
“Even if this law enters into force, this does not mean that the UOC and its parishes, monasteries and eparchies automatically lose their names,” the lawyer wrote.
He stressed that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was registered under its current name by the state authorities.
Any attempts by government authorities to force a religious union (the Church) to change its name are illegal, added Protopriest Alexander. He stressed that even if they try to implement the renaming by adopting relevant laws, international law evaluates such actions as interference in the internal affairs of a religious group.
Bill No. 5309 foresees amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations” regarding the name of religious organizations (associations) that are incorporated into (form part of) a religious organization (association) whose governing center (administration) is located outside Ukraine in the country that, according to the Law of Ukraine, is recognized as carrying out military aggression against Ukraine and / or temporarily occupied part of the territory of Ukraine.”
Read also
WHO urges securing equal access to IVF for same-sex couples
WHO’s new recommendations substantially broaden the concept of infertility and open the door to widespread use of assisted reproduction, including for same-sex couples and transgender individuals.
In Kniazhychi, brotherhood defends their monastery from seizure
Parishioners and the brotherhood of the UOC Transfiguration Monastery in Kniazhychi succeeded in defending their sacred site from the attempts of security forces and raiders.
UOC Primate congratulates Met. Arseniy on 20 years of episcopal ordination
The Primate of the UOC sent greetings to Metropolitan Arseniy on the anniversary of his personal Pentecost.
UGCC urges faithful to be ready to lay down their lives for Ukraine
The UGCC hierarchs have published a letter to the faithful urging them to cleanse the country of Soviet methods of governance, military organization, and economic management.
Condition of Metropolitan Theodosiy shows first signs of recovery
For the first time since his hospitalization, the health indicators of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy have begun to improve.
Court to choose preventive measure for Met. Arseniy in Dnipro on December 5
The prosecutor demands that the detention of the UOC hierarch be extended.