Ukrainian media claim transition to OCU is a "legal requirement"
Illustrative photo. Source: Unian
Journalists from the Ukrainian outlet Forpost staged a provocation during a live broadcast in which Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol answered questions. They asked the head of the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy when he would join the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) and claimed that such a move was supposedly required by a law banning religious organizations connected to Russia, which came into effect on September 23, 2024.
In reality, no such provision exists in Law 3894.
Metropolitan Luke responded to the provocation:
"I am already in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and I am not planning to go anywhere. As for going where you are suggesting, I cannot go there because that is not a Church; it is a religious organization. But I cannot call it a church in the sense of being 'Christ's Church' because Christ does not beat anyone or force anyone to join."
As reported by UOJ, the U.S. advocacy Human Rights Watch has criticized Law 3894.
Read also
Supreme сourt denies UOC the right to use Cathedral in Chernihiv
After several hearings regarding the Transfiguration Cathedral of the UOC, the judges ruled in favor of the local historical reserve.
Religious scholar explains why the recognition process of OCU stalls
Shumylo noted that the ecclesiastical environment is traditionally very conservative and amorphous, where decisions are made slowly.
Ukrainian media claim transition to OCU is a "legal requirement"
Journalists posed a provocative question to Metropolitan Luke.
Rally in support of UOC held in Georgia
This is not the first rally in Tbilisi in support of the canonical Church in Ukraine.
OP Deputy Head: Pro-UOC US politicians are part of RF information campaign
Olena Kovalska believes that the rhetoric of American politicians defending the UOC caters for Russia's interests.
OP rep laments not all Ukrainians take pride in level of religious freedom
Olena Koval’ska stated that Ukraine is proud of its level of religious freedom despite information attacks.