Vatican criticizes the actions of Ukrainian authorities to destroy the UOC

Archbishop of the RCC Claudio Gugerotti. Photo: kellogg.ox.ac.uk

On September 29, 2023, Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches of the Roman Catholic Church, criticized the actions of Ukrainian authorities regarding the destruction of the UOC. He made this statement to a TASS correspondent on the eve of his elevation to cardinal.

According to Archbishop Gugerotti, authorities can only legislatively condemn individual members of the UOC who have committed specific crimes. He also emphasized that the entire Church cannot be destroyed due to the "political crimes" of its representatives.

"It is illegitimate to consider the entire Church a reality subject to destruction just because it allegedly had a more or less shared past with those who are now considered enemies," the Vatican representative was quoted as saying.

Regarding the criminal prosecution of Metropolitan Pavel, the deputy of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the Prefect mentioned that the hierarch had worked extensively on the restoration of the monastery.

As reported by the UOJ, the Pope assured the Ukrainian Greek Catholics that he stands "with the Ukrainian people" in the conflict.

Read also

Yelensky: Patriarch Bartholomew takes risks reaching out to Ukrainians

According to Yelensky, the Ecumenical Patriarch has proven that he is a true friend of Ukraine.

MinCulture says it never approved construction of high-rise near Lavra

A residential developer in Pechersk ignored the absence of permits and urban planning regulations.

Monk of Svitiaz Monastery of UOC parishes in the war

The Volodymyr-Volyn Eparchy expresses condolences to the brotherhood of the monastery and calls on the faithful to offer fervent prayers for the repose of the cleric.

Major U.S. hospital network refuses to implement new assisted suicide law

Advocate Health Care said it would not participate in Illinois’ assisted suicide program.

OCU activists call TRC to service of persecuted UOC community in Kremenchuk

After seizing the Holy Trinity Church in Kremenchuk, Dumenko's followers attempted to disrupt the worship service of UOC believers held in the open air.

Bila Tserkva authorities attempting to seize monastery building from UOC

The Bila Tserkva City Council is attempting to reclaim the buildings of the St. Mary Magdalene Convent for communal ownership through the courts.