Dumenko and Anglican Archbishop condemn UOC for 'fakes about persecution'

Justin Welby and Serhiy Dumenko. Photo: OCU website

On February 6, 2023, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, met in Kyiv with Serhiy Dumenko, as reported on the OCU website.

Both sides condemned the "representatives of the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine", who "spread false reports about alleged 'religious persecutions' in our country".

Dumenko informed Welby that the "vast majority of religious diversity in Ukraine, united in the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, testifies that we have complete religious freedom."

He also assured the Archbishop of Canterbury that legislative initiatives to ban the UOC are "a matter of national security".

"Therefore, the state has to respond in a completely civilized manner, through the adoption of the appropriate law, not to allow Russia to use the religious field for its aggression. After all, it is here that Ukraine remains unprotected from destructive Russian influence," Dumenko assured Justin Welby and highlighted the importance of providing Ukraine with "urgent assistance from friendly countries".

Judging by the published photographs, Dumenko presented Justin Welby with a panagia, a pectoral cross and an order.

On the same day, the OCU organized a tour of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra for the delegation from the Anglican Church. This important task was entrusted to "Bishop" Abrahamiy Lotysh.

As reported, Dumenko complained to the Archbishop of Canterbury about Metropolitan Onuphry.

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