SBU refers Metropolitan Pavel case to court
Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: ctrana.news
On 20 October 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Prosecutor-General's Office handed over to the court an indictment against Metropolitan Pavel, the abbot of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, who is suspected of "inciting inter-religious hatred" and "justifying the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine", reports the press service of the Prosecutor General’s Office.
According to the investigation, the Lavra abbot allegedly "represented the Russian aggression as an internal civil conflict", and in telephone conversations with believers "incited national and religious discord".
The Office of the Prosecutor General also noted that the accusations against Metropolitan Pavel are confirmed by the conclusions of the relevant expertise.
In addition, the investigation found that the hierarch made statements that allegedly "justified the actions of the Russian Federation" and "offended the religious feelings of Ukrainians".
The sanctions of the articles provide for up to 8 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
As reported, Patriarch Bartholomew approved criminal cases against hierarchs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Read also
Khust Eparchy asks for help for priest facing eviction from his home
The rector of the parish, along with his minor children, is being threatened with the loss of his home through court proceedings.
European Commission appoints special envoy for defending believers’ rights
Mairead McGuinness has been appointed the EU’s new envoy for freedom of religion.
Georgian Parliament Speaker: Anti-Church campaign amounts to religious war
Shalva Papuashvili accused Eurobureaucrats of trying to replace the spiritual foundation of the nation with an artificial ideology and impose what he described as the European Union’s “pseudo-religion.”
Authorities in Pakistan order 25,000 Christians to urgently leave their homes
In Islamabad, 25,000 Christians have been ordered to urgently leave their homes without being offered any alternative housing, sparking protests and deepening tensions in society.
Court in U.S. finds Meta and YouTube harm users’ mental health
A U.S. court has ruled that platforms operated by Meta Platforms and YouTube deliberately foster addiction and can be held responsible for harm to users’ mental health.
Patriarch John called on Syrian Christians not to celebrate Easter outside churches
The Patriarch of Antioch and the heads of other churches in Syria made a joint statement amid the escalating situation in the country.