Novinsky: Constitution on pause, force and administrative resources rule
Vadim Novinsky. Photo: rbc.ua
Former MP and UOC Protodeacon Vadim Novinsky commented on the events surrounding the violent seizure of the Archangel Cathedral in Cherkasy, stating that they are the result of a massive campaign of hatred and slander directed at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in recent years.
“When, in August, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law aimed at banning the UOC, it was clear that we would not have the prescribed nine months to prepare the documents... Persecution of the Church and the seizure of churches will continue, as the seeds of evil have already been sown and have taken root. The authorities do not even intend to respect the law – ‘the Constitution is on pause,’ as its guarantor once said,” Vadim Novinsky noted.
He recalled that the authorities had promised a "civilized" mechanism for dissolving organizations allegedly threatening national security.
“They assured that the right to religious freedom would not be at risk if the community complied with the law. They promised that everything would be decided by expert reviews, courts, and appeals. In reality, everything is decided by violence, bats, tear gas, organized groups of rioters, and the administrative resources of corrupt local authorities,” the protodeacon emphasized.
Fr. Vadim stated that the Archangel Cathedral in Cherkasy is an example of this, as it belonged to the diocese, was built over six years with the efforts and resources of the parishioners of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and could not be subject to claims by state authorities or the OCU.
“These actions require both legal and moral evaluation. Our task is to ensure that the documents and materials become public knowledge and to inform the international community about them. I am confident that we will achieve truth and justice,” concluded the former MP.
As the UOJ previously reported, Vadim Novinsky noted that many of the UOC’s persecutors have forgotten in which Church they were baptized.
Read also
SBU detains antisemite calling to tear down banners for Jewish holidays
In Zakarpattia, authorities exposed an online agitator who used social media to incite religious hatred.
OCU: Those ordained by Filaret after the Tomos are not bishops
The OCU maintains that hierarchs of the UOC-KP, unlike those aligned with Dumenko, are non-canonical schismatics.
Greek authorities prepare special aircraft for Holy Fire transportation
Greek authorities have prepared the prime minister’s aircraft to bring the Holy Fire from Jerusalem.
German animal rights activists urge Easter ban on eggs and meat
PETA has called on churches to bless only vegan foods, arguing that the traditional blessing of eggs and meat amounts to endorsing “animal suffering.”
OCU says “UOC-KP” is its additional official name
The OCU has stated that the Kyiv Patriarchate, “as is well known,” has ceased to exist.
OCU and SBU launch intimidation campaign against UOC community in Brovary
Law enforcement officers have opened a criminal case against the rector of St. Demetrius Church and are demanding that ownership of the shrine be handed over to representatives of the OCU.