Polish Church Council criticises Ukrainian authorities over UOC ban
PAOC Bishops' Council in 2019. Photo: the Polish Church website
On 24 October 2023, the Council of Bishops of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church met to make a statement on the UOC ban by the Verkhovna Rada, reports the PAOC website.
In the statement, the Polish bishops stated "the need for the unity of the Church, which was violated by the non-canonical position of the Church in Ukraine."
"The Holy Council of Bishops of the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church received with great misunderstanding the information about the delegalisation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by the state authorities. The Council of Bishops pays particular attention to the fact that the Church of Christ has an ontological dimension and is not subject to human legal regulations. It is guided by Jesus Christ himself, our Saviour," the Council’s statement says.
The bishops call “for intense prayer for peace in Ukraine and the Holy Land, where fighting has begun and innocent people are dying".
As reported, according to a Polish bishop, Orthodox Christians in Ukraine are carrying the cross of Christ today.
Read also
Politician criticizes OCU cleric for "special support" of TRC
Vitaliy Kupriy commented on a sermon by an OCU cleric, where the latter called draft evasion a sin and urged to "reason with" such people through denunciations.
Armenian Church to hold council in Austria despite government obstacles
The Episcopal Council of the Armenian Church will take place in St. Pölten, even though a number of bishops have been banned from leaving the country and several hierarchs remain in custody.
Moldovan Metropolis bishop and faithful blocked inside a church in Moldova
Police blocked access to a church in the village of Dereneu, where Archbishop Petru of the Moldovan Church and parishioners were inside.
Why Phanar recognized UAOC ordinations involving self-proclaimed bishop – historian
The Phanar compared the participation of impostor Chekalin in the UAOC ordinations to zero in mathematics: whether you multiply by zero or divide by zero, the result is still one.
Pashinyan compares Armenian Church clergy to Islamists
The Armenian prime minister said in an interview that radical political sermons are being delivered in Armenian churches.
Turkish and Greek leaders to discuss religious agenda with Pat. Bartholomew
The President of Turkey and the Prime Minister of Greece will hold a meeting and official dinner with Patriarch Bartholomew in Ankara.