Vinnytsia Eparchy comments on MPs' demand to ban UOC

A meeting of the Vinnytsia City Council. Photo: vmr.gov.ua

The Vinnytsia Eparchy has commented on the appeals of deputies of the Vinnytsia Regional and City Councils to the central authorities regarding the ban on the UOC operations, noting that the appeals have no legal force, reports the press service of the eparchy.

We shall remind you that on April 27 and 28, 2023, members of the Vinnytsia Regional and City Councils voted for the address to the central authorities in relation to the operations of the UOC.

The texts of the appeals were published on the official website.

"Vinnytsia deputies once again ignore the official position of the UOC and also try to interfere with the freedom of religion of the residents of the Vinnytsia region. In an appeal to the Parliament, deputies of the Regional Council say that "the impossibility of the existence of religious organizations that support the occupant must be resolved. This is not the first time that these manipulations have been heard in the hall of the Vinnytsia Regional Council. The priests and believers of the UOC are citizens of Ukraine. The UOC faithful are defending our country at the front," the statement said.

"Regarding the statements that ‘by its decision, the Regional Council terminates the lease of real estate, land plots’, this has no legal validity whatsoever. Priests and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, according to Article 35 of the Constitution of Ukraine, have the right to freely practice their faith," the Vinnytsia Eparchy added.

As reported, Ostroh City councillors asked the Verkhovna Rada to ban the UOC.

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