Professor: Those silent about the ban on UOC are accomplices of this crime

Andriy Baumeister. Photo: screenshot of Baumeister’s YouTube channel

Andriy Baumeister, a professor at Shevchenko University and a Ph.D. in philosophy, in a comment to Baznica.Info, expressed his lack of understanding for those Orthodox Christians who remain silent in the face of the government's persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

He has reached out to friends in the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), asking them if their conscience remains at peace while their fellow brothers face persecution. He urged them to at least say a word. Baumeister emphasized that while they may disagree with some of the UOC's hierarchs, they are still brothers in faith. He questioned the silence of representatives of the OCU and suggested that those who remain silent are complicit in the government's actions.

Baumeister also expressed his disgust at witnessing the seizure of UOC churches and monasteries. He noted the initial discouragement of the authorities when priests displayed resistance from their power perspective. However, he observed that churches and monasteries are systematically being seized, and videos show armed law enforcement officers outside while nuns pray inside.

"There are also hundreds of videos of paramilitary young pumped up guys squeezing the faithful out of the temple,” states the philosopher.

In his opinion, there is still hope for a change of heart and an allowance for people to freely practice their faith without taking over monasteries. Baumeister suggested that new monasteries could be built or existing ones divided among several churches. For instance, he proposed that the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra (Cave Monastery) could be given to the OCU while the Upper Lavra could remain with the UOC. This, according to him, would demonstrate the spirit of ecumenism among Orthodox Christians.

He concluded that it is not acceptable to exist at the expense of others.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to Baumeister, the prohibition of the UOC is not just an error but a failure of Ukraine's domestic policy.

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