Yurash: We’re trying to prevent meeting between Pope and Patriarch Kirill
Ukrainian Ambassador to the Vatican Andriy Yurash admitted that a meeting between the pontiff and Patriarch Kirill in Kazakhstan is undesirable for Ukraine. "There is a big discussion now about why we are trying to prevent the Pope and Patriarch Kirill from meeting in Kazakhstan in September 2022," the official said to Channel 24, adding that "they were ready to meet this year in Lebanon, on neutral territory."
According to Yurash, for Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church, contact with the Pope is only a tool for them to use the Holy See for their foreign policy and PR purposes. At the same time, according to Yurash, the Russian Federation is afraid to invite the Pope to Russia and, in order to avoid this, "since the early 1990s they have been coming up with many reasons".
"The visit of the Pope directly to Russia is for them an extremely critical situation in terms of the position of the Russian Church," emphasised Yurash.
The diplomat explained that the ROC "as an instrument of politics and influence of the Russian state on all external moments related to the representation of the state can create a certain discomfort, so they do not allow an equal relationship."
As reported, the Pope spoke of a cordial and open dialogue with Russia.
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".