“Miriane” to Rivne Regional Council head: UOC ban is a collaborator’s act
The Rivne branch of the NGO "Miriane" (“Laity”) submitted an official request to the Rivne Regional Council because of an article on the Horyn.info resource calling to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the region, reports the organization's press service on its Telegram channel.
On 6 May 2022, an active supporter of the OCU and chairman of the Rivne Regional Council, Serhiy Kondrachuk, submitted an appeal to the regional council to ban the activities of the UOC. Information about this was published on the regional website under the heading "The existence of the Church of Moscow in Ukraine is unacceptable: the session of the Rivne Regional Council will consider an appeal to ban the activities of the MP”. Presumably, the regional council will consider Kondrachuk's appeal on 20 May.
"Miriane" warned Kondrachuk against violating the legislation in force. They also demanded that issues related to the banning of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church not be brought before the council because it leads to incitement of hatred and discord, undermines the authority of the authorities, demoralizes Ukrainian soldiers and gives an additional trump card to the enemies of Ukraine. Also, representatives of the public union reminded Kondrachuk of the criminal responsibility under Article 161 Part 2 of the Criminal Code – "Incitement of religious hatred and enmity carried out by an official".
"We consider such statements and further actions that they provoke to be collaborative, aiding the aggressor, aimed at demoralizing the Ukrainian troops and contributing to inciting discord in our Rivne region," the “Miriane” union said in their appeal.
The public organization also appealed to the head of the Rivne Regional State Administration, Vitaliy Koval, demanding that any actions aimed at inciting religious hatred and splitting Ukrainian society in the Rivne region be banned.
We remind you that the long-time fighter with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Serhiy Kondrachuk led seizures of UOC churches after the Tomos was granted to the OCU.
As reported, the NGO “Miriane” told local officials that attempts to ban the UOC incite inter-faith discord.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".