Metropolitan Luke speaks in Bulgaria about Poroshenko's role in pressuring UOC

Petro Poroshenko and Epifaniy Dumenko. Photo: korrespondent.net

On August 26, 2024, Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol presented his report titled "National Security or Religious Discrimination? The Role of the 'European Solidarity' Party in Pressuring the Ukrainian Orthodox Church" at a conference dedicated to the protection of the UOC, held in Bulgaria.

Here is the full text of Metropolitan Luke's report:

General Situation

In the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine, issues related to national security and internal consolidation have become significantly more acute. The religious aspect has taken on a special significance in this discussion, as the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), which has historical ties with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), is perceived by some politicians and public figures as a potential threat.

In this report, I will acquaint you with the discriminatory rhetoric and the promotion of legislative initiatives aimed against the UOC, within the context of European democratic values. Special attention will be paid to the position of the "European Solidarity" party and its leader – former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who was once a parishioner of our Church – as well as his role in advancing Bill No. 8371, aimed at banning our Church.

1. Historical and Political Context

Historically, in modern times, the relationship between the Ukrainian state and church structures has been complex and contradictory.

In 2018, amid political and social changes, Petro Poroshenko played a key role in creating the "Orthodox Church of Ukraine" (OCU) and was the main initiator of obtaining a Tomos of autocephaly from the Ecumenical Patriarch and his Synod for the newly formed union. This did not lead to overcoming the church schism in Ukraine but rather significantly exacerbated the existing division, with the OCU failing to gain pan-Orthodox recognition as a structure with a questionable canonical status. Despite this, certain political forces view this as an attempt to weaken the supposed "ideological influence" of the ROC and strengthen what they like to call Ukraine's "spiritual independence", which is often accompanied by harsh statements against the UOC.

The introduction of martial law in Ukraine intensified the negative rhetoric of media controlled by Poroshenko, increasing public dissatisfaction with the UOC, which continues to be accused of covert support for the Russian army. The political rhetoric against the UOC has become more severe, and pressure from the state, certain political circles, and public activists has significantly increased.

In particular, members of the European Solidarity party, including its leader, use aggressive rhetoric against the UOC, labeling the canonical Church as a "pseudo-church FSB structure", "unclean force", and "mafia". Calls for "cleansing" Ukrainian society of "Kremlin agents in cassocks", referring to the UOC clergy and parishioners, are increasingly heard.

Such statements contribute to the strengthening of hostile attitudes towards the canonical Church, creating an atmosphere of ostracism. This has laid the groundwork for violence and discrimination, which has already manifested in many incidents, such as the beating of Bishop Nikita of Ivano-Frankivsk and clergy of several dioceses, the serious stabbing of Fr. Antoniy Kovtanyuk of the Vinnytsia Diocese, the raider seizures of churches, and the increasing trend of political pressure on a religious community that, despite its autonomy, remains in a difficult relationship with the Ukrainian state.

2. Lobbying for Bill No. 8371

Bill No. 8371 proposes significant restrictions for religious organizations that have connections with centers of influence in countries recognized by Ukraine as aggressors, primarily Russia. Specifically, this concerns the registration, property rights, and the ability to conduct religious ceremonies. The European Solidarity party actively supports this bill, viewing it as a tool to finally eliminate "Russian influence". In his speeches, Petro Poroshenko has repeatedly emphasized the need to bring Bill No. 8371 to a vote, aiming to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) due to its ties with the Russian Orthodox Church. He pressured Parliament to expedite the consideration of this bill and criticized delays in its adoption.

Iryna Herashchenko, another prominent member of the party, has been actively promoting the adoption of the bill, mobilizing support from public organizations and insisting on transparency regarding the positions of Parliament members on this issue. She has called for the public disclosure of the names of deputies who oppose the bill.

In May 2024, ES deputies blocked the podium of the Verkhovna Rada, demanding the immediate consideration of the bill to ban the UOC. They also displayed banners accusing the Church of working for Russian intelligence services.

3. Violation of European Democratic Values

The bill essentially proposes depriving the UOC of the ability to exist within the legal framework of Ukraine, which constitutes a violation of basic European democratic values and contradicts Ukraine's commitments to the European Union and the Council of Europe.

a. Freedom of religion

One of the key principles protected by the European Union is the freedom of religion, which includes the right to freely practice one's religion without fear of persecution, discrimination, or state interference.

Violation: The active support of initiatives to ban the UOC is perceived as a threat to religious freedom. The actions and rhetoric of the European Solidarity party aim to marginalize and persecute the UOC due to its alleged connections with Russian state bodies, which violates the fundamental right to freedom of religion and conscience, guaranteed by both the Ukrainian Constitution and international norms.

b. The principle of non-discrimination, which includes religious beliefs, is an important aspect of human rights in the EU

Violation: Public accusations and aggressive statements against the UOC, such as claims of its connection with Russian intelligence services or calls for its ban, contribute to discrimination and the social isolation of believers in the canonical Church. Such actions can exacerbate interfaith tensions and contradict the European principle of tolerance.

c. Incitement of interfaith hatred

European norms condemn all forms of hate speech, including interfaith hatred, and advocate for the respect of diversity and the harmonious coexistence of different religious communities.

Violation: The rhetoric aimed at "demonizing" the UOC leads to religious conflicts and incites hatred. In a time of war, such statements are particularly dangerous, as they can deepen societal divisions and create a hostile environment for UOC believers.

d. The rule of law

A fundamental principle of European democracy is the rule of law, which entails respect for the rights of all citizens, including the right to a fair trial and protection from arbitrary state actions.

Violation: The support for Bill No. 8371, which seeks to restrict the activities of the UOC, raises legitimate concerns about the adherence to the rule of law.

This bill has sparked significant and heated debates regarding the relationship between the state and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The bill has been criticized not only by the Main Scientific and Expert Department of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine but also by international organizations, including Amnesty International, which have pointed out its potential violation of human rights. Both international and Ukrainian experts have noted that such measures could escalate internal conflict within the country.

If the law is used for political pressure on a religious organization without sufficient evidence of its involvement in anti-state activities, it should be considered a violation of human rights.

Systematic pressure on the UOC, its hierarchs, and believers, supported at a high political level, could damage Ukraine's international image and lead to condemnation from European states and institutions.

During the period of martial law, dozens of incidents involving discrimination against UOC believers have been recorded, including the seizure of church property and attacks on clergy. These cases demonstrate that hate speech and ostracism already have real consequences.

Petro Poroshenko continues to actively promote the idea of tightening measures against the UOC, linking this to national security concerns. However, his critics argue that he is trying to maintain political influence by playing on the patriotic sentiments of society.

In the context of the criminal cases initiated against Poroshenko, some analysts suggest that his harsh rhetoric against the UOC may be an attempt to distract attention from his own legal troubles and to rally his electorate around a nationalist agenda.

Conclusion

The religious-political situation in Ukraine during martial law has become extremely complex and tense. Against the backdrop of the conflict with Russia, issues of religious identity have taken on heightened significance in Ukraine. The religious question has now become highly politicized. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) has become a target of ostracism and discrimination from the political elite, including the leaders of the European Solidarity party.

This party and its leader play a leading role in shaping public opinion, where the UOC is perceived as an agent of Russian influence and a threat to national security. This rhetoric, often turning into aggressive statements, fosters negative attitudes toward the UOC and its believers, contributing to the incitement of interfaith hatred and creating real risks for the rights and freedoms of Ukrainian citizens.

The lobbying of Bill No. 8371, supported by European Solidarity, demonstrates the willingness of political forces to use legislative tools to restrict the rights of their own citizens, which contradicts the principles of European democracy. The adoption of this law could seriously undermine trust in the Ukrainian authorities on the international stage, especially among European Union countries, for whom freedom of religion is an integral part of democratic values.

The aggressive rhetoric and political pressure on the UOC, as evidenced in the statements of Petro Poroshenko and his supporters, increase the risk of internal destabilization and could lead to an escalation of conflict not only on religious but also on societal grounds.

Thus, the current situation calls for a reassessment of political approaches to religious issues and the strengthening of guarantees for freedom of religion in Ukraine. It is crucial that hate speech and discrimination against the UOC do not become tools of political struggle, and that dialogue and mutual understanding come to the forefront, in line with the democratic and European values that the Ukrainian government claims to protect and promote.

As reported by the UOJ, an international conference in defense of the UOC was held in Bulgaria.

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