OCU bishop names the number of clerics of his structure in relation to UOC

“Metropolitan” Fedir of Poltava and Kremenchuh (OCU). Photo: Kremenchutska Gazeta

“Metropolitan” Fedir of Poltava and Kremenchuh of the OCU said that his religious structure lacks staff, reports Kremenchutska Gazeta.

Moreover, the OCU lacks both chaplains and “priests” not related to the mission.

“The fact that we do not have enough clergy is true, it's not a secret. You know that the Ukrainian Church was in a minority, they did not give us any land plots, they constantly oppressed us. This can be seen even in Kremenchuh. The ratio of Moscow and Ukrainian priests here is seven Ukrainian priests against about 40 Moscow priests.... We need chaplains on the front today, we need priests today,” he said.

Also, “Metropolitan” Fedir said that the OCU is trying to solve this problem at the expense of the laity who come to their churches. He said that in the Poltava Eparchy of the OCU there are now about 15 deacons who can also become “priests”.

As reported, in July 2023, the OCU reported that they have about 5,500 clerics in their structure. The number of UOC clergy at the end of 2022 is 12,551.

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