Council of Churches urges President to respond to freedom of conscience law
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Photo: tsn.ua
The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations convinces the Head of State and parliamentarians to finalize a bill on freedom of conscience and express their opinions so that a fanatical fight against discrimination does not lead to harassment of constitutional rights of citizens, the Council’s website reports.
Earlier, a parliamentary committee rejected the amendments of the Council of Churches aimed at protecting freedom of conscience.
Representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations insist that bill No. 0931 should be supplemented with the following: “An action or inaction of a person and/or group of people in the exercise of their rights to freedom of thought and speech, to free expression of their views and beliefs, to freedom of worldview and religion is not discrimination.”
The Council of Churches emphasizes that in religious organizations and legal entities created by them (monasteries, educational institutions, etc.) it is generally accepted to determine specific moral and ethical criteria for clergy and workers of the Church. Bill No. 0931 may interfere with this practice.
As reported by the UOJ, on November 19, the Council of Churches sent an appeal to the President substantiating the position of the religious community. The response to the appeal has not yet arrived.
Read also
Church celebrates feast of Holy Foremost Apostles Peter and Paul
On July 12, the Feast of the Apostles Peter and Paul, the Apostles' Fast (Peter's Fast) comes to an end for Orthodox Christians.
UGCC cleric criticizes OCU head for awarding Greek Catholic officials
Hieromonk Yustyn Boiko of the Lviv Archeparchy called the awarding of church honors to officials a profanation and cited the example of an OCU order presented to a Greek Catholic official.
Expert who found no defamation in Dumenko’s remarks to face disciplinary action
An Interior Ministry research center has confirmed disciplinary measures against the expert whose findings supported what the Metropolitan’s representatives described as unfounded accusations by the OCU head against Metropolitan Theodosiy.
European Parliament condemns forced Islamization of children in Pakistan
The European Parliament has called on Pakistan to establish a mechanism to protect Christian families.
Church of the Presentation damaged by shelling in Russia’s Kursk Region
The newly built church in the village of Kulbaki, Glushkovo District, was completely gutted by fire after being struck by a projectile.
UOC priests take part in celebrations at Romania’s Putna Monastery
Clergy of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy took part in a festive service at the ancient shrine of the Romanian Orthodox Church.