Expert: Ban on the UOC makes unity in Ukraine impossible

Oleksandr Shelest and Pavel Schelin. Photo: SHELEST YouTube channel's screenshot

Political expert, philosopher, and blogger Pavlo Shchelin believes that the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) will make unity in Ukraine impossible. He expressed this opinion during a live interview with Oleksandr Shelest.

In his view, "the Ukrainian authorities clearly understand that any genuine sacred center that unites Ukrainians in the current state of ruin poses a threat to them, which is why they are destroying it."

Shchelin is convinced that "the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is a mass institution around which Ukrainian society could potentially unite in the context of the previous ruin."

For this reason, Pavlo Shchelin claims that "the authorities are preemptively eliminating competitors." The UOC clergy "could do anything," but it wouldn't change the situation because "they (the UOC) are being destroyed as a political competitor."

Earlier, the Union of Orthodox Journalists reported that on August 20, MPs are expected to vote on Bill 8371, which bans the UOC.

Read also

WHO urges securing equal access to IVF for same-sex couples

WHO’s new recommendations substantially broaden the concept of infertility and open the door to widespread use of assisted reproduction, including for same-sex couples and transgender individuals.

In Kniazhychi, brotherhood defends their monastery from seizure

Parishioners and the brotherhood of the UOC Transfiguration Monastery in Kniazhychi succeeded in defending their sacred site from the attempts of security forces and raiders.

UOC Primate congratulates Met. Arseniy on 20 years of episcopal ordination

The Primate of the UOC sent greetings to Metropolitan Arseniy on the anniversary of his personal Pentecost.

UGCC urges faithful to be ready to lay down their lives for Ukraine

The UGCC hierarchs have published a letter to the faithful urging them to cleanse the country of Soviet methods of governance, military organization, and economic management.

Condition of Metropolitan Theodosiy shows first signs of recovery

For the first time since his hospitalization, the health indicators of Metropolitan Theodosiy of Cherkasy have begun to improve.

Court to choose preventive measure for Met. Arseniy in Dnipro on December 5

The prosecutor demands that the detention of the UOC hierarch be extended.