Govt ready to give UOC Metropolia a 60-day leeway to “break with Moscow”

Yelensky. Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

The head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), Viktor Yelensky, told Ukrainian Radio that the authorities are ready to grant the Kyiv Metropolia of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church an additional 60 days beyond the allotted month.

According to him, the Kyiv Metropolia received a DESS order on July 24. Accordingly, it is obliged to sever ties with Moscow by August 24.

“If more than a month is required to leave the Russian Orthodox Church, withdraw from its synodal commissions, the Inter-Council Presence, and the Holy Synod of the ROC, then, in the case of a justified request, an additional 60 days will be granted. That is, if it is necessary to convene a Hierarchal or Local Council and some time is needed for that, then of course it can be provided,” Yelensky magnanimously stated.

He assured that there is “a very serious conflict between this Church and Ukrainian society.”

“And when society receives the signal that this is the Church of the Ukrainian people, then the problem will be largely resolved,” the official said.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to Yelensky, the destruction of the UOC cannot be considered a violation of religious freedom.

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