Maj.-Gen. of Justice: ‘Hero of Ukraine’ title awarded to Filaret illegally
Major-General of Justice Vasily Vovk, the ex-head of the Main Investigation Department of the SBU and an expert on state security issues
The decree of the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on awarding the title of the Hero of Ukraine to the "honorable acting spiritual mentor" of the OCU "Patriarch" Filaret Denisenko is illegal, Major-General of Justice Vasily Vovk, the ex-head of the Main Investigation Department of the SBU and an expert on state security issues, said in his blog on "Censor. Net".
"In accordance with the Statute of the Hero of Ukraine, the President of Ukraine is not empowered to make a decision on awarding the Hero of Ukraine title," wrote Vovk.
Major-General of Justice recalled that the President should receive a recommendation of the relevant bodies (the Verkhovna Rada, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine ... ministries ... and so on, their exhaustive list is given in the Statute) and the award sheet of the established model, and the nomination of the candidate for the title of the Hero of Ukraine is carried out at the place of work of the person.
It is noteworthy that V. Vovk even suggested a way to correct the situation.
"Proposal: To make by morning at least a recommendation by the Commission on State Awards and Heraldry under the President of Ukraine, which is contained in the list of authorized bodies," he concluded his post.
On January 8, 2019, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko signed a decree on conferring the title of Hero of Ukraine to the "honorary acting spiritual mentor" of the newly-established church structure "Patriarch" Filaret Denisenko with an award of the Order of State.
Earlier, deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine voted to include the anniversary of Filaret Denisenko in the list of memorable dates for 2019.
Read also
Media: Canadian clinics offer elderly patients euthanasia instead of treatment
An 84-year-old Catholic woman in Canada says she was offered euthanasia instead of treatment for a non-terminal condition. She refused, as her husband had done before her.
Greek bishop links Russian SVR claims against Patriarch Bartholomew to OCU
Metropolitan Iosif described the accusations as “lies” and an “anti-church reaction,” linking them to opposition to the recognition of the OCU.
UOC St. Nicholas Protection Cathedral in Druzhkivka damaged in shelling
In the Donetsk region, shelling damaged the UOC St. Nicholas Protection Cathedral – the roof was torn apart, parts of the ceiling collapsed, and damage was recorded inside the church.
GOC reaffirms refusal to recognize same-sex marriages after court ruling
The Synod of the Church of Greece has once again spoken out against same-sex marriage and adoption following a court ruling in Greece, reaffirming its previous position.
Bill banning LGBT and childfree propaganda adopted in Belarus
A bill in the Belarusian parliament provides for administrative liability for propaganda of homosexuality and childlessness.
In women's monastery of Holovchyntsi village, monastic tonsure performed
In the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy, two nuns were tonsured into the lesser schema.