Law Dept: There’s a risk that UOC believers won’t be able to serve in the army
Priest of the UOC with the military of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Photo: ukraine2day.com
Archpriest Alexander Bakhov, head of the Legal Department of the UOC, said that the forced renaming of the Church is illegal, but commented on the possibility of applying the law "On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations" in relation to the canonical Church. He spoke about this during the press conference “Results of the UOC in 2022”, which takes place on December 29 in the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
“I would like to draw attention to one essential detail: suppose that this law is applied to the UOC. This law contains a provision that prohibits clergy, preachers and other representatives of the UOC from accessing the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations. Therefore, the majority of citizens of Ukraine will not be able to fulfill their constitutional obligations in this case,” said the head of the Legal Department of the UOC.
As the UOJ reported, Archpriest Alexander emphasized that by outlawing the UOC, some politicians believe that they are at war with Russia, but in fact they are at war with the Ukrainian people.
Read also
Israeli authorities plan to entrust Al-Aqsa security to religious Jewish activists
Police have begun recruiting religious Jews and far-right activists as part of efforts to strengthen Israeli control over the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem.
Yelensky: Now churches oppose LGBT but will compromise for EU integration
Ukraine’s top official on religious affairs, Viktor Yelenskyi, said tensions over LGBT issues are inevitable, but churches may eventually compromise on LGBT-related issues as Ukraine advances toward EU membership.
Moldovan Church reports media attack on its primate
The Moldovan Orthodox Church said negative media coverage of Metropolitan Vladimir is the first stage of a broader campaign aimed at discrediting the Church and undermining its authority in society.
MPs accuse soldier of religious hostility over anti-migrant rally
A Ukrainian veteran said lawmakers’ complaint against him over an anti-migrant rally was an attempt to intimidate the military community and silence public criticism of sensitive social issues.
Poroshenko's party says the Word of God in UOC is “enemy bullet”
Members of European Solidarity claim that the Word of God in the hands of a patriot is a shield, while in the mouth of a “Moscow priest” it is an enemy bullet.
Estonian Church to file complaint with ECHR over anti-church law
The Estonian Orthodox Christian Church said the court ruling failed to protect believers’ rights and may force parishes to seek justice at the European Court of Human Rights.