AUCCRO and VR defenders of "eternal values" discuss law on cannabis

Meeting of AUCCRO representatives and Verkhovna Rada deputies. Photo: irs.in.ua

On January 28, 2021, representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO) and the parliamentary interfactional association “Values, Dignity, Family” created on the initiative of the “Servant of the People” deputy Sviatoslav Yurash discussed a number of legislative initiatives and agreed on further cooperation.

According to the Institute of Religious Freedom, the meeting was held under the co-chairmanship of the "hierarch" of the OCU Yevstratiy Zoria and the UGCC cleric Oleksa Petriv.

Sviatoslav Yurash, who earlier initiated the creation of an inter-factional parliamentary association with the aim of protecting "the eternal values of Ukrainian society", wrote on his Facebook page that "the largest association in the history of parliament <...> begins the tradition of monthly meetings between two councils – the Eternal and the elected".

“At the first monthly meeting, we discussed a whole range of legislative and government issues that have been troubling the holy fathers and the valuable Ukrainian dominant that they represent for several years,” he explained.

In particular, religious leaders and parliamentarians discussed draft Law No. 4553 (and alternative ones) to regulate the circulation of cannabis for medical purposes, scientific and technical activities and industry.

The meeting participants also raised the issue of the obligations undertaken by the government of Ukraine within the framework of the international project "Biarritz Partnership" aimed at achieving the so-called gender equality and discussed initiatives to ratify the Istanbul Convention.

The decisions made during the meeting of the "Eternal and elected councils" will soon be presented, said the people's deputy.

Earlier the Ministry of Health of Ukraine officially introduced the "unknown gender" in the forms of referrals for laboratory testing for COVID-19.

As reported, the AUCCRO voiced its position on vaccination against coronavirus.

Read also

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.

Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem

The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.

UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"

UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.

Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health

Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".

ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY

Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.

Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed

An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".