Chancellor of UOC: Officials must be held accountable for breaking the law

Metropolitan Anthony, Chancellor of the UOC. Photo: pravlife.org

In an interview with the UOJ, Metropolitan Anthony of Boryspil and Brovary, Chancellor of the UOC, explained why officials who "transfer" churches to the OCU should be held accountable for their actions.

“We call ourselves a democratic society, a state, but, unfortunately, we can see that our officials live by completely different principles, because when an official, by virtue of his convictions or some internal tasks of a political nature, violates the law, he must be held accountable," said Bishop Anthony.

According to the UOC Chancellor, over the years the authorities have not created the necessary conditions for the relationship between the Church and the state, so churches are still being seized or closed.

“There have been adopted the laws that run foul of the Constitution: this is the law on the requirement to rename the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the law that creates easier conditions for the so-called “transitions”, but which actually promotes the seizure of our churches. These norms are still existing, unfortunately, though they are blocked for now. Therefore, this provides a legal basis for certain ‘efforts’ for the people (representatives of the OCU – Ed.), who live in a state of aggression, and who want to destroy the Ukrainian Orthodox Church,” Metropolitan Anthony emphasized.

The Chancellor of the UOC is sure that despite all the intrigues of unscrupulous officials, their efforts are in vain for one simple reason: Ukrainians love their Church, they are faithful to His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kyiv and All Ukraine, and will defend their churches. However, one should act within the framework of law, the hierarch stressed.

Metropolitan Anthony recalled that the UOC, to the best of its ability, helps communities that are rebuilding their temples after the raider seizure or building a new one. Funds are raised for these purposes. However, the most important help, according to Vladyka Anthony, is prayerful support.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Metropolitan Anthony considers the UOC the only force uniting all of Ukraine.

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