Amsterdam: Law 8371 is to be voted on next week
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Photo: portal.lviv
It has become known that MPs of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine plan to introduce bill No. 8371, which effectively bans the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, into the agenda for next week. American lawyer for the UOC Robert Amsterdam wrote about this on his Twitter on July 17.
"The timing is highly provocative, coming right after the RNC – pushing an illegal bill to attack freedom of religion; a real slap in the face of Ukraine's benefactors," Amsterdam said.
The lawyer emphasized that he supports Ukraine's sovereignty and continued US assistance, but billions of taxpayer dollars require at least a commitment to the rule of law and human rights.
"The US can never be involved in funding the repression of an entire religion based on false pretense – it is against international law," he wrote.
As the UOJ reported, the U.S. Vice President could become a politician who criticized the persecution of the UOC. U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump has chosen Ohio Senator JD Vance for this position.
Read also
UOC monk detained by enlistment officers released
The Khmelnytskyi Eparchy reported that after undergoing a military medical commission, Archimandrite Galaktion (Redei) was released back to his monastery.
Metropolitan Hilarion recounts details of his detention
The metropolitan reconstructed the chronology of events and shared his experience of being held in custody.
Media: OCU complains of personnel crisis
An activist of Dumenko’s structure has acknowledged a shortage of clerics and the reluctance of theological school graduates to be ordained.
Ukraine moves to introduce coordinator for combating antisemitism
The coordinator’s duties will include drafting proposals to improve legislation and cooperating with foreign states.
Tbilisi municipal authorities begin restoration of Sioni Cathedral
The authorities of the Georgian capital plan to complete the restoration work by the end of October this year.
In Slovenia, parishioner shares why she converted from Islam to Orthodoxy
Milica was born into a Muslim family, but after several years of spiritual searching, she was baptized – a path that opened through the Liturgy, prayer, and Christ's love.