People's deputy demands that Shmygal explain his statement on financing OCU
Denis Shmygal and the OCU head Epiphany Dumenko. Photo: pomisna.info
People's deputy and a member of the Committee for Economic Development Nikolai Skorik demanded that Prime Minister Denis Shmygal explain his statement on Ukraine’s financing the OCU, the MP said on his Facebook page.
The parliamentarian drew attention to Shmygal's statement about "full social and economic support" for the OCU by the state, which sounded from the lips of the Prime Minister during a meeting with the head of the Phanar.
Such a statement by the official runs counter to the status of Ukraine as a secular state enshrined in the Constitution, the deputy stressed.
“In addition, it seems unclear what powers of the Cabinet of Ministers have to provide such support (including financial) to specific church institutions, which means securing specific services, benefits, privileges, etc.,” Skoryk noted.
Nikolai Skorik asked the head of government to explain how to understand his words about support for the OCU if the state is separated from religious structures by law.
As reported earlier, at a meeting with the head of the Phanar, Denis Shmygal said that the state is financing the OCU.
Read also
Georgian Church Synod to present three candidates for Patriarchal throne
Georgian hierarchs will select candidates for the Patriarchal throne, after which the Extended Council will make the final decision.
Metropolitan Tychikos' lawyers respond to media accusations
The hierarch's lawyers called the television stories targeted harassment.
EU Court: Hungary's law protecting children from LGBT violates legislation
The European Court ruled that Hungary's ban on promoting LGBT ideology among minors contradicts "EU values".
Facts of persecution against UOC included in world's human rights report
The Amnesty International report points to pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and criticism from UN experts.
Pasika activist urges believers to join Uniates if they don't want to go to OCU
Choknadiy called on UOC believers to join the Greek Catholic Church, since they refuse to join the OCU.
OCU “priest” urges SBU to punish local community head for backing UOC faithful
Volodymyr Pedko was outraged that a fallen serviceman was buried by a cleric of the canonical Church and promised to “sort things out” with the local authorities after the holidays.