Yelensky assures Anglican Archbishop of 'unity of Ukraine's denominations'

Victor Yelensky and Justin Welby. Photo: DESS website

On February 6, 2024, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, met in Kyiv with the head of the State Ethnopolitics Service (DESS) Victor Yelensky, as reported on the DESS Facebook page.

DESS stated that during the meeting, "Yelensky exposed the horrific crimes committed against faith and human dignity by Russian occupiers in the occupied territories".

Speaking about the territories under Ukrainian control, the head of DESS "highlighted the unity of different religious denominations in Ukraine."

As reported by DESS, "Archbishop Welby emphasized that freedom of religion is one of the fundamental human rights, and the global community should be aware of the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine."

Regarding the purpose of the visit, the Archbishop of Canterbury noted that he came to the capital of Ukraine to hear the leaders and representatives of the Churches of Ukraine. He also expressed readiness to assist in the restoration of destroyed religious buildings.

At the same time, in the comments to the Facebook publication, Ukrainians did not support Yelensky.

Yuriy Doroshenko recalled the "communist" past of the current head of DESS: "Lustration? Never heard of it!!! A representative of the scientific atheism institute under the Central Committee of the Communist Party represents independent Ukraine!"

"The beating of Bishop Longin of the UOC – this is what the policy of transition to the OCU, which this organisation supports and promotes, has led to. Chaos in the religious field is part of your responsibility and organisation. Well, atheists are specialists in persecution," wrote Natalia Filyk.

As earlier reported, Dumenko and the Anglican Archbishop condemned the UOC for "fake persecutions".

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