Expert: Pope's visit to Ukraine may affect rapprochement of OCU and UGCC
The leaders of the OCU and the UCCC at the "Candle of Memory" memorial sign. Photo: news.ugcc.ua
The head of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC), Pope Francis, in the event of his arrival in Ukraine to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Independence, will act in the direction of the development of the ecumenical process with Patriarch Bartholomew, who is inclined towards this, which will entail a rapprochement between the OCU headed by Sergei (Epiphany) Dumenko and the UGCC, said the Ukrainian political expert, head of the "Third Sector" centre Andrey Zolotarev, in a comment for the UOJ.
He believes that the head of the Vatican will distance himself from internal Ukrainian religious conflicts and allows for a joint "action" of Pope Francis and the Patriarchate of Constantinople to be held in Ukraine. “The Pope will try to distance himself from internal Ukrainian issues. I think that the main theme that may be between them is in the perspective of Bartholomew's line of rapprochement with Rome. Perhaps, there will be some kind of joint action,” the political scientist said.
As reported, the arrival of the Pope in Ukraine will try to use the UGCC for its expansion, political analyst Mikhail Pogrebinsky believes.
Read also
Historian calls for burial of Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves in the Pantheon of Heroes
Saints, the founders of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, have been proposed for recognition as "creators of identity" within a memorial to outstanding figures.
Budanov speaks of draft law on 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.