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
Chernihiv Jews equate vandalism against menorah to arson of TRC
The Jews of Chernihiv are convinced that the vandals who toppled the menorah acted on Russia’s orders.
Mukachevo Metropolitan hands over aid to AFU and children's boarding home
With the blessing of Metropolitan Theodore, charitable events were held in the eparchy.
OCU takes over UOC church in the village of Checheliivka
Raiders from the OCU, after cutting the locks, broke into the Intercession Church, which was sealed until the court's ruling.
UOC publishes new liturgical texts approved by Synod
The Synodal Liturgical Commission presented prayers and services approved by the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Khmelnytskyi hierarch offers condolences to family of man killed in shelling
Metropolitan Victor addressed the faithful following the shelling of Khmelnytskyi by Russian forces.
Sumy Eparchy donates over one million hryvnias for children with cancer
The press service of the Sumy Eparchy has reported on the results of the fourteenth charitable campaign “Bright Deeds for the Bright Feast.”