Media: Pope ready to mediate talks on Kyiv Lavra
Pope Francis. Photo: ria.ru
Pope Francis is ready to mediate in the negotiations between the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the OCU on the situation with the expulsion of UOC monks from the Kyiv Caves Lavra, reports TASS.
The agency's interlocutor, chairman of the World Union of Old Believers Leonid Sevastyanov, said that the Pope said he was ready “to become a mediator so that the UOC and the OCU could discuss all personal issues".
"He could be a mediator, could help the UOC defend their position. <...> If there is a problem in establishing contacts, in communicating the position, he is ready to mediate," Sevastyanov added.
The head of the Union of Old Believers clarified that Pope Francis has no other legal mechanisms of help other than an appeal for peace and negotiations.
"He can only call for peace, dialogue and negotiations. In the Lavra case, he calls for respect for the sanctity of the shrines to stop the actions that are now taking place, but he has no such legal mechanisms to intervene in any specific way," Sevastyanov explained.
As reported, the OCU set up a structure called "Pochaiv Lavra".
Read also
Greek hierarch criticizes new school textbooks containing LGBT propaganda
Metropolitan Seraphim called on parents to monitor school lessons in order to protect their children.
Site blessed for new church construction in Oleksandriia Eparchy
On the feast day of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Metropolitan Boholep laid a foundation capsule for a new church.
World Council of Churches condemns confiscation of Evangelical church in Iran
Secretary General Jerry Pillay demanded the return of the St. Peter's Church compound to believers.
Poland repeals law recognizing same-sex unions concluded in EU
The court ruled that the registration of foreign same-sex unions contradicts the article of the Constitution defining marriage as a union of a man and a woman.
St. Basil the Great's hand to visit Romania for first time
The relic from Greece will be displayed in the cathedral of Alexandria to mark the 30th anniversary of the local diocese.
DESS expert tells US State Department reps about religious freedom in Ukraine
Andriy Smirnov held a meeting with staff of the US State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom.