The UGCC is jumping ship. What will the OCU do?
Shevchuk and Dumenko. Photo: OCU
The head of the Uniates, Shevchuk, actually accused Dumenko's structure of seizing churches and (most importantly), aiming to become a state church. Shortly before this, Shevchuk supported street protests against the authorities, stating that law 12414 against NABU/SAP “undermined the people's trust in the government and the trust of international partners in Ukraine.” There is no doubt that these statements are connected.
The UGCC no longer bets on Zelensky's power. Accordingly, it begins to criticize the OCU for its "state" court status under the current government, and even for violence against the UOC. And there is something to criticize. In the past week, Dumenko has held meetings with 6 (!) ambassadors and diplomats. In fact, the head of the OCU is doing the work of one of the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As for the seizures of UOC churches by Dumenko's subordinates, there’s plenty of proof.
There is no doubt that the Uniates themselves would like to be in the role of the state church, but Zelensky preferred the OCU. Therefore, Shevchuk is betting on a change of power. Given the strong ties of the Uniates with "international partners" and their experience in organizing the Maidans of 2004 and 2013/2014, the signal for Zelensky and Dumenko is more than serious. It is enough to recall that, according to UGCC Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, half of the protesters on the Euromaidan were Greek Catholics.
It seems that "international partners" have made some decisions regarding the current government, and Shevchuk has become aware of it.
Dumenko and Zoria remain silent and wait. Apparently, they hope that even if the people in the power offices change, the doors to the offices themselves will remain open for them. Obviously, the UGCC also hopes for these doors.
Clearly, the lines of the Psalter "put not your trust in princes, in the sons of men" do not convince the OCU and UGCC leadership. Their priority is the struggle for the status of a "state church." In any case, it seems that neither will support Zelensky.
Read also
From sanctuary to storage: how seized UOC churches are being repurposed
In Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, members of the OCU are reportedly using the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands – seized from the UOC – as a storage site for clothing.
Why can a thief who stole from AFU walk out of SIZO, while Vladyka Arseniy cannot?
A man who stole food from soldiers in wartime is allowed the privilege of freedom, while a hierarch who fed hundreds of destitute refugees in the Lavra is denied even the possibility.
“There are no people persecuted for their religious beliefs in the USSR”
One of the most disgraceful phenomena in the life of Ukraine’s present-day religious community is its complicity in justifying the crackdown on the UOC.
Why people heroize those who beat TRC
Why does the head of the UGCC publicly call for war until victory, while quietly hiding draft-dodging workers in temples? Why do OCU bloggers delete posts supporting the TRC due to massive hate?
On the long-awaited statements by Oleksandr Usyk
Oleksandr Usyk has declared that he is ready to become president. The only question is – whom does he now see as his voters?
Two weeks of OCU’s “brotherhood” talk to UOC: Any fruits yet?
So this is what the OCU’s “dialogue” looks like. One hand signs “appeals” about brotherhood – the other blesses people with angle grinders.