DESS expert: “The problem is that Metropolitan Onuphry doesn’t yield to pressure”
His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. Photo: UOC press service
Andriy Smirnov, an external expert for the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) and a member of the Synodal Commission of the OCU, commented on the revocation of Ukrainian citizenship from His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, stating that the Primate of the UOC does not give in to pressure. He shared his views in an interview with the publication Glavred.
According to Smirnov, under current Ukrainian legislation, Metropolitan Onuphry has only three months to resolve his legal residency status in Ukraine.
He stated that, “if there is political will, the state may deport Metropolitan Onuphry for violating migration laws and lacking legal grounds to remain in Ukraine.”
However, Smirnov doubts that the authorities will take such a step.
“More likely, sanctions may be imposed against Metropolitan Onuphry as an additional lever of pressure,” he said. “But the problem is that he doesn’t yield to pressure and will not comply with DESS directives or make concessions to the state.”
As previously reported by the UOJ, dozens of videos have been recorded by UOC believers in support of His Beatitude.
Read also
Hollywood Catholic actors remind of the spiritual meaning of Great Lent
Mark Wahlberg i Jonathan Roumie recorded a video message calling for prayer at the beginning of Great Lent.
MP Huz discusses seizure of UOC monastery in Myltsi with Volyn RMA head
Huz demanded that the authorities "resolve the situation" with the St. Nicholas Monastery of the Volodymyr-Volynsky Eparchy of the UOC.
Lviv authorities to allocate UAH 300,000 for UGCC church damaged by shelling
The Lviv City Council will finance the restoration of stained glass windows of the Uniate church after damage sustained as a result of a missile strike.
Yelets Icon of Mother of God venerated in ancient monastery of Chernihiv
Metropolitan Clement celebrated the Liturgy at the Yelets Monastery of Chernihiv on the day of veneration of the monastery's main shrine.
In Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, OCU supporters convert seized church into warehouse
In the Cherkasy region, Dumenko's supporters set up a clothing warehouse in the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands, which previously belonged to the UOC.
Ukraine should allow same-sex marriages for EU accession, European Commission
Brussels has stated that it expects Kyiv to adopt a law on legal recognition of homosexual unions.