Renovabis foundation head: Ban on UOC will hinder Ukraine's path to EU
Photo: Thomas Schwartz, General Director of Renovabis. Source: KNA, Dieter Mayr
The head of the German organization for aid to Eastern Europe, Pastor Professor Thomas Schwartz, calls for the protection of freedom of religion in Ukraine. According to the foundation's website, "Renovabis criticizes ongoing attempts in the Ukrainian parliament to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church" and warns of the consequences of passing the law to ban the UOC.
"You cannot punish an entire Church with all its believers as traitors to their Ukrainian homeland," he notes.
He believes that neither all hierarchs nor the entire Church community should be equated with Russian aggressors, even if individual cases of state treason by UOC representatives are confirmed and legally proven.
"Such a legislative step by the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, could also complicate the path to the European Union and would be a significant burden for coexistence in Ukrainian society," underscores Professor Schwartz.
The General Director of Renovabis considers the deliberate ban on an entire Church unjustified and counterproductive. In his opinion, it would also play into the hands of Russian military propaganda.
As previously reported by the UOJ, a member of the British Parliament also opposed the bill 8371.
Read also
UOC Rivne Eparchy churches open warming centers for city residents
At warming centers set up at UOC churches in Rivne, anyone can warm up, have hot tea, and charge their phones.
Church celebrates Holy Theophany of our Lord
On the Feast of Theophany, Orthodox Christians commemorate the Baptism of the Lord – one of the most important events in Gospel history.
In Kharkiv region, drafters detain UOC cleric of Izium Eparchy
The priest was held for more than 72 hours, then without explanation was taken to a military unit – there is practically no contact with his family.
His Beatitude: Theophany water drives away demons' dark force from man
In his sermon before the rite of the Great Blessing of Water, the Primate of the UOC highlighted the significance of repentance and the power of holy water.
Nun from Cherkasy monastery about raiders: They had completely wild eyes
Nun Nanna gave testimony in the Cherkasy court about the events of November 20, 2023 – the day of the violent seizure of the Nativity of the Virgin Monastery.
In Dnipro, TRC detains UOC priest to send him to front
A priest of the Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy of the UOC is being held at a distribution center; believers are urged to support him with prayer.