Met Theodosiy: I implore the international community to protect journalists
Metropolitan Theodosiy speaks at the UN session. Photo: protiktor.com
On April 2, Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv addressed the global human rights community during the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council, drawing attention to the arrest of Orthodox journalists in connection with their professional activities and calling for the protection of the rights of these innocent individuals who are suffering.
"Two weeks ago, the Security Service of Ukraine conducted searches of UOJ and 'Pershy Kozatsky' employees. Journalists Valeriy Stupnitsky, Andriy Ovcharenko, and Priest Sergiy Chertilin were sent to investigative isolation. They, along with a number of other journalists, face serious charges related to their journalistic activities, which involved highlighting violations of the rights of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church believers," the bishop explained.
In his opinion, this indicates that today in Ukraine, freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and human rights exist only for those who unquestionably agree with the authorities.
"I urgently appeal to the international community to protect these innocent individuals," the UOC hierarch called on the international human rights defenders.
As the UOJ wrote earlier, on April 2, the arrest of Orthodox journalists was reported at the UN. In turn, human rights activist Oleg Denisov stated that UOJ journalists will be included in the list of "Prisoners of Conscience".
Read also
Priests and laity of Rivne Eparchy donate blood for children with cancer
In Rivne, the UOC clergy and laity have donated blood for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kyiv seminary students meet with People’s Artist Larisa Kadochnikova
Students of Kyiv’s theological schools spoke with the legend of Ukrainian cinema, who shared her memories of filming "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors".
Bancheny Monastery reports provocation
The UOC monastery in Bancheny has reported a provocation by unidentified individuals.
Romanian Church to hold joint prayer for peace in Ukraine
On the fourth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Ukraine, special prayers for an end to the hostility will be offered in all churches of the Romanian Patriarchate, both in the country and abroad.
Armenian bishops call on authorities to stop Church persecution
At a meeting in Austria, hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church reaffirmed their faithfulness to Catholicos Karekin II of All Armenians and called on the authorities to stop the persecution of the clergy.
Italian media: Ukrainian authorities persecute the country’s largest confession
The Italian outlet L’Identità reported on mass searches, the arrests of clergy, and the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which it describes as the largest Church in Ukraine.