UOC comments on Zelensky's words about the Church and the war

Bishop Victor (Kotsaba). Photo: facebook.com/V.D.Kotsaba

On June 16, 2021, the Head of the Representation of the UOC to European International Organizations, Bishop Victor (Kotsaba) of Baryshevka, commented on his Telegram channel on the words of President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky, who said that when he thinks about the Church, he recalls the war in Donbas.

According to Vladyka Viktor, "it is not entirely clear why one must first end the war in Donbas in order to stop violating the Constitution regarding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and to abolish the anti-church laws."

The bishop stressed that "non-observance of the Basic Law of Ukraine, which guarantees freedom of religion, cannot be justified by military operations in the east of our country."

In addition, according to the hierarch, "it is not clear why it is necessary first to establish relations with the Russian Federation in order to stop the violation of the rights of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church."

“Believers of the UOC are citizens of Ukraine, which means that their rights should not depend on good or bad relations between our state and any other states,” says Bishop Viktor.

He recalled that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has always stood for peace and an end to the war in Ukraine, and "its peacekeeping position can be taken as a basis in an attempt to stop hostilities in Donbas."

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that, according to the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky, it is necessary to end the war in relations with Russia, but for now, when they talk about the Church, it reminds him of the war.

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