Ex-ambassador: USA considers creation of OCU its achievement

A meeting of the US Secretary of State and the Head of the OCU in Kyiv, 6.05.2021. Photo: Epiphany Facebook page

In the United States, the creation of the OCU is considered their achievement. Former Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Valeriy Chaly said this on the air of the “Priamyi” TV channel, reports the channel's website.

“The American side ... Incidentally, this may not be known in the Office of the President. In the past period, the key foreign policy theme was freedom of religion. And the issue of the autonomous church was promoted by Ukraine with the support of our partners. The United States did – I can say this now – a lot to make this issue a reality for Ukraine. This is a huge achievement, which they consider theirs as well. Maybe this is exaggerated, but there are such sentiments,” Chaly said.

AS reported, on May 6, Kyiv hosted a meeting between the head of the OCU Epiphany and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was in Ukraine on a two-day visit. Meetings with representatives of other religious organizations in Ukraine were not provided for in the official programme of Blinken's visit. According to the experts, this is a sign of unconditional support for the OCU from the United States and a signal to the Ukrainian authorities.

Read also

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.

Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem

The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.

UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"

UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.

Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health

Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".

ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY

Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.

Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed

An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".