Union of Orthodox Lawyers gives assessment of church raiding in Pryputni
Church of the Nativity of the Virgin in Pryputni village. Photo: df.news
Lawyers of the Union of Orthodox Lawyers commented on the situation in the village of Pryputni, Chernihiv region, where unknown persons seized the church of the Nativity of the Virgin.
The UOL noted that the visitors attempted to take over the church back in 2019. However, the actions of the attackers went unpunished.
“Like last time, on April 4, the police did not react to criminal offenses by the supporters of the OCU,” the lawyers noted in their Telegram channel. "Therefore, without any resistance from the law enforcement agencies, the latter seized the temple replacing the locks."
Experts believe that the actions of the "military campaign headed by the former priest of the UOC Leonty" have signs of criminal offenses under three articles of the Criminal Code: 356 (arbitrariness), 180, part 1 (obstruction of the religious rite), 161, part 3 (violation of the equality of citizens depending on their religious beliefs).
The UOL added that in this situation, the inaction of the police also creates a crime under Part 2 of Art. 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (abuse of power or official position).
Earlier, Father Sergiy said the assaulters tried to seize the temple in Pryputni before, including with the help of threats.
Read also
OCU cleric describes how UOC church was “politely seized” in Cherkasy region
An OCU cleric acknowledged on video that a village church in the Cherkasy region had previously belonged to the UOC before being “politely seized” and reopened.
Metropolitan Onuphry sends greetings to Kyiv Theological Academy conference
The UOC Primate addressed participants in the 18th conference of the Kyiv Theological Academy and Seminary, dedicated to the 430th anniversary of St. Peter Mohyla's birth.
Court orders TRC to remove transgender woman from military register
A Dnipropetrovsk administrative court ruled that a TRC’s refusal to remove a transgender woman from the military register constituted discrimination.
Pope Leo, King Charles unite in "Christian fraternity"
The head of the Church of England has granted the Pope the honorary title of “Confrater” as a symbol of “spiritual fellowship and ecumenical friendship.”
UCCRO, WCC discuss possible OCU membership in World Council of Churches
A World Council of Churches delegation visited Kyiv to learn about the activities of Dumenko’s organization as part of its review of the OCU’s membership application.
BOC Patriarch: Bartholomew cannot be anathematized without conciliar decision
Patriarch Daniel said that no Local Orthodox Church has anathematized the Patriarch of Constantinople, warning that misguided zeal can lead people to place themselves above the Church.