Ex-Congressman: It's a smear to say every Russian Orthodox Christian is a spy
Matt Gaetz. Photo: Leon Neal
Former Congressman Matt Gaetz harshly criticized Congressman Wilson's statement, who claimed that Orthodox bishops in the USA advocating for the UOC "could serve as vehicles for intelligence collection or foreign influence operations directed at U.S. policymakers".
"It seems like a rather bigoted smear to say that every Russian Orthodox Christian is a spy," wrote Gaetz.
His statement appeared in the context of a series of sharp publications by American politicians who were outraged by Wilson's words.
Recall that Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna emphasized that Wilson's priority is to ensure that American taxpayers' dollars should not be going towards the persecution of Christians.
South Carolina State Representative Thomas Beach responded to Gaetz's message, writing: "One of the largest OCA parishes in America is located in Greenville, South Carolina. Americans live there, most of whom are converts. Calls to investigate the activities of these good Christians? That's purely Soviet stuff."
Earlier, he stated that Wilson's words are "really ugly smear of Orthodox Christians as agents of a foreign power. This is beneath the office."
Read also
Khust Eparchy honors memory of St. Job of Uholka
A Liturgy is served in Mala Uholka, a birthplace of St. Job of Uholka, on the saint's feast day.
UOC parish in Cologne donates ultrasound machine to Kharkiv region hospital
In Cologne, UOC believers raised funds for an ultrasound machine for the Kehychivka district hospital in the Kharkiv region.
Shevchuk tells Pope Leo of Ukraine's preparations for "another harsh winter"
The head of the UGCC expressed "special gratitude" to the Pope for his phone calls with Putin and Zelensky.
Berlin hierarch comments on Phanar document published by UOJ-USA
Metropolitan Mark called the information about the 2018 "Unification Council" alarming if confirmed, and expressed hope that Patriarch Bartholomew will reconsider his position.
UOC marks Synaxis of All Saints of Volyn Land at Lutsk cathedral
Metropolitan Serhiy of Ternopil and Kremenets led the Liturgy on the feast day of the Lutsk cathedral of All Saints of the Volyn Land.
SBU detains OCU cleric who organized draft evader's escape for money
In Transcarpathia, law enforcement officers detained a clergyman of the OCU who arranged for a draft evader to be smuggled into Slovakia for $15,000.