UGCC calls clerics who get to OCU as schismatics

Heads of the OCU and the UGCC. Photo: pametna.info

Heads of the OCU and the UGCC. Photo: pametna.info

Lviv Uniate Metropolitan Igor Voznyak told his subordinates that Ivan Garat, who had moved from the UGCC to the OCU, is a schismatic, and concelebration with him is forbidden.

The transition to the UOC-KP or OCU should be considered a schism (split), the head of the Lviv Uniates emphasized in an official message about the schismatic on the website of the UGCC LA office.

Garat left the UGCC in 2011 and moved to the Kyiv Patriarchate, and then to the OCU.

"According to the legislation of the Catholic Church, such actions are classified as a crime against the faith," said the hierarch of the UGCC. "Whoever in schism avoids subordination to the supreme authority of the Church, unity with the faithful and its subordinates."

In March 2021, Garat was handed a decree that he was banned "from priesthood or performing any other task." The Metropolitan of Lviv of the UGCC forbade his clerics to concelebrate with the schismatic or "perform any other task" together with Garat.

As reported by the UOJ, Uniates and Catholics conducted a funeral service over the body of the "hierarch" of the OCU. 

Read also

The Orthodox Church observes Great and Holy Thursday of Passion Week

Three days before Easter, one of the key events of the New Testament took place – the Last Supper of Jesus with His twelve apostles, during which the Sacrament of the Eucharist was instituted.

UOC shows destruction of Pokrovsk Vicariate headquarters following shelling

The roof and walls have been heavily damaged, and all windows shattered.

Clergy of Belgian Deanery have concelebrated Liturgy in Brussels

Following the Liturgy, the clergy discussed various matters concerning the life of UOC parishes in Belgium.

UOC hierarch appeals to Ukrainian religious leaders over LGBT film festival

“Holy days are no time for mockery,” Metropolitan Luke emphasizes.

OCU propagandist Koshkina pays compensation to UOC hierarch for defamation

The editor-in-chief of Left Bank published a retraction and paid 35,000 UAH to Bishop Nikita (Storozhuk).

Kyiv authorities urge religious leaders to hold Easter services online

The city authorities link their appeal to the heightened risk of enemy attacks.