German Protestant theologians speak out in defense of DECR UOC deputy head
Dagmar Heller and Karl-Wilhelm Niebuhr. Photo: DECR UOC
Two letters came to the Synodal Department for External Church Relations in defense of the deputy head of the department, Archpriest Mykolay Danylevych, in connection with his criminal prosecution in Ukraine. Support for the UOC spokesperson was expressed by the head of the Institute for the Study of Confessions, scientific consultant for the study of Orthodoxy Dr. Dagmar Heller (city of Bensheim) and Professor of the Theological Faculty of the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena Dr. Karl-Wilhelm Niebuhr.
Dr. Dagmar Heller stated that she finds the accusations against Mykolay Danylevych ridiculous and fabricated. She noted that she had never heard of any pro-Russian propaganda in UOC communities in Germany that were founded with the participation of Father Mykolai. War in these communities has always been condemned. The same, Heller emphasized, applies to the personal position of the deputy head of the UOC.
"If he and his parishes outside Ukraine were on Russia's side, they would have joined the existing parishes of the Russian Orthodox Church in these countries. But Danylevych and these parishes deliberately separated themselves from the Moscow Patriarchate. And they are not recognized by the diocese of the Patriarchate in Germany," she wrote.
Dr. Heller emphasized that Archpriest Mykolay Danylevych helps find a spiritual home for those refugees who do not want to join the Russian Orthodox Church and have reasons not to join Ukrainian parishes subordinate to the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
In turn, Dr. Karl-Wilhelm Niebuhr in his letter expressed concern about the accusations made by the Security Service of Ukraine against the UOC spokesperson.
"All members of Ukrainian communities in Germany that I know have expressed their unlimited confidence in Father Mykolay as a faithful pastor of the UOC and a dedicated citizen of Ukraine. His goals, as I have perceived them since we met, have always been guided by his responsibility as a true and faithful pastor for Orthodox Christians of Ukraine seeking spiritual affirmation and pastoral care for the people in their difficult life circumstances as refugees, caused by Russian aggression against their country," he wrote.
German theologians emphasized the role of Archpriest Mykolay Danylevych in attempting to find a way to overcome the schism and called for a fair investigation into his case.
As the UOJ reported, Orthodox youth of Europe spoke out in support of the deputy head of the DECR UOC.
Read also
Seized Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr transferred from UOC to OCU control
Huz stated that after being handed to the OCU, the Dormition Cathedral in Volodymyr will be “Ukrainian and alive”.
In Brussels, Cardinal Parolin urges Europe to remember its Christian roots
The Vatican Secretary of State spoke at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula on the occasion of its eight-hundredth anniversary and recalled Europe’s spiritual mission.
388 mln Christians face persecution and discrimination over faith – report
The organization Portes Ouvertes has published research findings concluding that pressure on believers worldwide has intensified.
Archbishop of Albania: Orthodoxy is a key pillar of Albania’s European path
During a visit to Brussels, the Primate of the Albanian Orthodox Church underscored the importance of Orthodoxy for the country’s integration into the EU and for maintaining interreligious balance in society.
His Beatitude leads divine service at Lavra on Circumcision of the Lord feast
During the festive service at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, special prayers were offered for peace on the Ukrainian land and for God’s blessing upon the new year.
Director of Orthodox school writes open letter to "investigator"
Anna Bolhova emphasized that God turns slander and lies directed against Christians into their victory.