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
Greek bishop links Russian SVR claims against Patriarch Bartholomew to OCU
Metropolitan Iosif described the accusations as “lies” and an “anti-church reaction,” linking them to opposition to the recognition of the OCU.
UOC St. Nicholas Protection Cathedral in Druzhkivka damaged in shelling
In the Donetsk region, shelling damaged the UOC St. Nicholas Protection Cathedral – the roof was torn apart, parts of the ceiling collapsed, and damage was recorded inside the church.
GOC reaffirms refusal to recognize same-sex marriages after court ruling
The Synod of the Church of Greece has once again spoken out against same-sex marriage and adoption following a court ruling in Greece, reaffirming its previous position.
Bill banning LGBT and childfree propaganda adopted in Belarus
A bill in the Belarusian parliament provides for administrative liability for propaganda of homosexuality and childlessness.
In women's monastery of Holovchyntsi village, monastic tonsure performed
In the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy, two nuns were tonsured into the lesser schema.
Finnish MP urges EU to repeal law banning criticism of LGBT
Päivi Räsänen stated that the "hate speech" law in Europe serves as a means for censorship.