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
LGBT Catholics march in Rome with rainbow cross
Participants in the gay march stated that the "rainbow cross" is a tangible sign of the LGBT presence in the Church.
Zelensky meets with OCU’s “Lavra abbot” at OP to discuss future plans
Lotysh thanked Zelensky for personally overseeing the restoration of the Dormition Cathedral.
Media report case of UOC deacon and father of many children forcibly mobilized
Deacon Andrii Vernyi of the Church of the Three Holy Hierarchs in Lutsk said he faced pressure, threats, and legal violations during an attempt to mobilize him.
Serbian media criticize “Trump’s spiritual advisor” for working against UOC
The U.S. president’s spiritual advisor met with Patriarch Porfirije despite previously supporting the law used to ban the UOC in Ukraine.
UOC church consecrated in Ivanivka, Odesa Region
The ruling bishop of the Balta Eparchy consecrated a church dedicated to the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God.
Patriarch Porfirije donates blood and encourages faithful to become donors
The Primate of the Serbian Church called on believers to support voluntary blood donation campaigns and help those in need.