Amsterdam urges Patriarch Bartholomew to speak out on Bill 8371
Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: RBC
The head of the international human rights firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP, lawyer for the UOC, Robert Amsterdam, wrote an open letter to Patriarch Bartholomew, asking him to comment on Bill 8371, which leads directly to the prohibition of the UOC, reports the Strana publication.
"In spite of the promise of Patriarch Bartholomew to respect all Ukrainian Orthodox confessions and promote an ecosystem of communion while granting tomos to newly created state-sponsored Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), his decision opened a Pandora's box. His silence over the escalating situation has made the UOC the target of a vicious and unlimited campaign of intimidation, perpetrated by the Ukrainian authorities," wrote Amsterdam.
The lawyer addressed the head of the Constantinople Patriarchate, urging him to fulfill his promise to "uphold order without tyranny, liberty without license, and justice yoked to mercy and compassion."
"With a view of his role in Orthodoxy and his previous action of having supported the creation of the new state-sponsored Church in Ukraine, Patriarch Bartholomew has a moral duty to speak up against 'dividing Christ', banning the UOC, and prosecution of Orthodox believers in Ukraine," said Robert Amsterdam.
As reported by the UOJ, earlier Robert Amsterdam commented on X on the "apoplectic" reaction of the media to the letters he had sent to the Verkhovna Rada regarding the possible adoption of Bill No. 8371.
Read also
Constantinople hierarch: UOJ engages in propaganda journalism in defense of UOC
Archbishop Elpidophoros accuses the Union of Orthodox Journalists of "Russian propaganda" without providing a single fact.
Phanar’s Archdiocese in U.S. tried to derail meetings held in defense of UOC
A leaked letter from Archbishop Elpidophoros to Patriarch Bartholomew has revealed that while Orthodox Christians were seeking protection for the UOC in Washington, the Phanar was coordinating a campaign to sabotage their meetings with American politicians.
EXCLUSIVE: Abp Elpidophoros’ letter to Pat Bartholomew on defending UOC in US
Archbishop Elpidophoros reports to Patriarch Bartholomew on his efforts to derail actions by Orthodox clergy and faithful in the United States in defense of the UOC.
Zelensky awards chief rabbi "for the defense of the country"
At the celebration of Moshe Asman’s anniversary, representatives of the Presidential Office and the Territorial Defense Forces presented the rabbi with state awards and read out a message from Zelensky.
Gates foundation allocates $1 billion to promote abortion in Africa and Asia
Bill Gates and other private donors will direct funds to organizations seeking to legalize abortion and change laws in countries with traditional values.
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.