AUCCRO voices position on vaccination against coronavirus
Meeting of the AUCCRO on 27.01.21. Photo: news.church.ua
On January 27, 2021, the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO) announced its position on vaccination against COVID-19 in Ukraine, reports vrciro.org.ua.
On behalf of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, with the blessing of the Primate of the UOC, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, Bishop Victor (Kotsaba) of Baryshevka, as well as an employee of the UOC Department for External Church Relations (DECR), Sergey Bortnik, took part in the meeting.
The meeting participants noted that the issue of vaccination is primarily a medical problem, and "religious leaders should not be promoters of this since this is the competence of physicians, who should comprehensively inform citizens about the benefits and risks of vaccination."
In addition, in their opinion, the state should provide citizens with a free choice: to be vaccinated or not, as well as with what kind of vaccine, since it is not only about its effectiveness and safety, but also about the production technology.
Earlier, Bishop Victor (Kotsaba) stressed that the Church does not oppose vaccination but the methods of its introduction are worrisome.
As reported, the head of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk became the new chairman of the AUCCRO for the next six months.
Read also
Constantinople hierarch: UOJ engages in propaganda journalism in defense of UOC
Archbishop Elpidophoros accuses the Union of Orthodox Journalists of "Russian propaganda" without providing a single fact.
Phanar’s Archdiocese in U.S. tried to derail meetings held in defense of UOC
A leaked letter from Archbishop Elpidophoros to Patriarch Bartholomew has revealed that while Orthodox Christians were seeking protection for the UOC in Washington, the Phanar was coordinating a campaign to sabotage their meetings with American politicians.
EXCLUSIVE: Abp Elpidophoros’ letter to Pat Bartholomew on defending UOC in US
Archbishop Elpidophoros reports to Patriarch Bartholomew on his efforts to derail actions by Orthodox clergy and faithful in the United States in defense of the UOC.
Zelensky awards chief rabbi "for the defense of the country"
At the celebration of Moshe Asman’s anniversary, representatives of the Presidential Office and the Territorial Defense Forces presented the rabbi with state awards and read out a message from Zelensky.
Gates foundation allocates $1 billion to promote abortion in Africa and Asia
Bill Gates and other private donors will direct funds to organizations seeking to legalize abortion and change laws in countries with traditional values.
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.