Drabinko: The implementation of law on UOC ban to cause division in society
Oleksandr Drabinko. Photo: a screenshot from the Viche YouTube channel
"Metropolitan of Pereyaslav and Vishneve" of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine Oleksandr Drabinko stated in an interview with the Viche YouTube channel that the implementation of Ukraine's Law No. 3894 on the protection of the constitutional order in the sphere of religious organizations' activities could lead to an increase in division in Ukrainian society.
"As for the question of whether this will bring division into Ukrainian society, – yes, of course, to a certain extent it will," noted the metropolitan in the interview.
According to Drabinko, legal proceedings against the parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church may drag on for years, and their number could reach 12–15 thousand instead of the stated 6 thousand. He emphasized that there will be "underground resistance" to the adoption of positive decisions regarding the prohibition of the UOC religious organizations.
The hierarch also expressed confusion regarding the practical application of the law: "I do not understand, will this be the removal of the legal entity from registration? Is this the closure of a church? Or a ban on the community gathering to fulfill their religious needs?"
The metropolitan emphasized that the state should «establish a constructive dialogue in search of unity and resolution of this issue from both sides» rather than taking categorical measures. In his opinion, in the nine months provided for the resolution of legal and canonical issues, negotiations between the heads of the UOC and the OCU should have been organized.
"We will have a hidden center of discontent with the state's policy, as they will consider themselves persecuted. And this will by no means lead to constructive dialogue in the future," concluded Metropolitan Drabinko.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to political expert Bondarenko, the new wave of pressure on the UOC will provoke a negative reaction from the USA.
Read also
German McDonald's removes food from adverts until sunset over Ramadan
In Germany, during the Muslim fast, a fast-food chain hides food images in advertising during the day and shows them only in the evening.
Metropolitan Longin after hearings: Sessions conducted under the rule of law
After the Hertsa Сourt session, the bishop thanked the faithful for their support and called for forgiveness, prayer, and faithfulness to Christ.
Christian series "The Chosen" sets world record for being most widely-translated
The streaming series The Chosen , which explores the life of Jesus and his disciples, has broken its own Guinness World Record for being the most widely-translated series of all time.
US Secretary of Defense to the Army: God extends His arms over you
Pete Hegseth stated that American military personnel are "no longer defenders" but warriors "trained to destroy the enemy."
MP demands answers from Rivne authorities over UOC charity event
Bobrovska expressed outrage that city officials allowed the Rivne Eparchy of the UOC to hold a charity festival that raised money for children with cancer.
In U.S., Archbishop of Albania leads Divine Liturgy on Triumph of Orthodoxy
The Primate of the Albanian Church served in Massachusetts and called for visible unity among Orthodox jurisdictions.