Konotop mayor bans UOC "for the sake of society's consolidation"
Mayor of Konotop Artem Semenikhin. Photo: Ukrinform
In the Sumy region, the mayor of Konotop Artem Semenikhin published his own illegal order on Facebook, which prohibits the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on the territory of the city. Semenihin accompanied this document with a remark that there is no difference between an enemy and his agent.
The city head refers to Article 42 of the Law "On Local Self-Government in Ukraine", the Law of Ukraine "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law". Semenikhin prohibits the UOC with the aim of "consolidating Ukrainian society, preventing the split in the Konotop community on religious grounds, anti-Ukrainian activities, speculation on the beliefs of residents, taking into account open pro-Russian propaganda in the temples of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is subordinate to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow".
As the UOJ reported, the head of DESS Viktor Elensky previously stated that local city councils do not have the authority to prohibit the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the regions, this is not legal.
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".