Primate of UOC tells Zelensky about threats of Istanbul Convention

His Beatitude Onuphry at the meeting of the AUCCRO with Zelensky. Photo: news.church.ua

On December 17, 2021, the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, took part in a meeting of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations with President Vladimir Zelensky, during which he spoke about the threats that the Istanbul Convention poses and urged not to ratify it, reports the UOC Information and Educational Department on its website.

His Beatitude explained to Zelensky that ideological mines that can blow up Ukrainian society are hidden in the Istanbul Convention. “Ukrainian laws regulate well all challenges related to domestic violence. For their part, churches and religious organizations are ready to cooperate with the authorities in the implementation of practical measures aimed at preventing domestic violence because the Istanbul Convention is not a solution to this problem,” the Primate said.

In response, the President assured that without a dialogue with the heads of Churches and religious organizations and a broad discussion, he would not sign important documents. Also, during a meeting with the AUCCRO, Zelensky signed the Law "On the Service of the Military Chaplaincy" previously adopted by the Verkhovna Rada.

As reported, the AUCCRO published an official statement against the Istanbul Convention.

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