Political expert: Pope's arrival in Ukraine to step up UGCC expansion
Vladimir Zelensky and Pope Francis. Photo: twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa
If the head of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) Pope Francis accepts an invitation from Vladimir Zelensky to come to Ukraine to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Independence, the UGCC will seek the maximum benefit from this visit for its expansion in the country, Mikhail Pogrebinsky, a Ukrainian political analyst and strategist said in a comment for the UOJ.
He believes that, despite the significance of the figure of Pope Francis in the world, his visit, if it takes place altogether, will not considerably enhance the influence of the UGCC in Ukraine. “The Greek Catholics would like to try to use this visit for expansion. To be honest, though,ec I do not believe in these prospects,” the expert said. According to Pogrebinsky, the pope did not publicly position himself as an enemy of Orthodoxy, therefore his arrival is unlikely to worsen the attitude of the Ukrainian authorities towards the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
As the UOJ reported, Zelensky invited Pope Francis to the 30th anniversary of Ukraine's independence.
Read also
Budanov spoke about the draft law on the Pantheon of Heroes
The head of the Presidential Office presented two approaches to determining historical figures for burial in the capital.
UOC priest concelebrates with Patriarch of Georgia in Tbilisi
In two Georgian churches, a cleric was informed that clergy of the OCU are prohibited from participating in services of the Georgian Church.
Pat. Bartholomew calls on four Churches to accept Crete Council's decisions
On the tenth anniversary of the Council of Crete, the Primate of the Constantinople Church addressed the four absent Local Churches.
Chernivtsi Holy Spirit Cathedral marks patronal feast
On the Day of the Holy Spirit, Metropolitan Meletiy led the festal Liturgy at Chernivtsi’s cathedral, concelebrated by hierarchs and clergy.
Kyiv Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh damaged in Russian strike
A Russian strike damaged the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Kyiv's Solomianskyi District, shattering windows in the church and parish buildings. No injuries were reported.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews paralyze traffic in Israel over arrest of draft evaders
Ultra-Orthodox demonstrators blocked highways and railway tracks, demanding an end to the arrest of those refusing military service.