Macron says Russian authorities manipulate Russian Church

On 23 October 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron rebuked the Russian Orthodox Church for allowing the country's leadership to manipulate it, so it justifies the war in Ukraine, the Voice of America reports. The French President said this during an official visit to Italy, speaking at an international conference of the Sant'Egidio Catholic community, which fights for peace and supports charity.

"We know very well how the Orthodox religion is being manipulated today by those in power in Russia to justify their actions. Resistance is needed here," the French President said. According to him, resistance means "never making excuses, never falling into a trap, never supporting political projects aimed at denying the dignity of everyone".

The meeting was attended by Metropolitan Anthony of Korsun and Western Europe, the Patriarchal Exarch of Western Europe and the head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Office for Institutions Abroad.

As reported, the statue of Michael the Archangel will be demolished in France at the demand of atheists.

Read also

Georgian Church Synod to present three candidates for Patriarchal throne

Georgian hierarchs will select candidates for the Patriarchal throne, after which the Extended Council will make the final decision.

Metropolitan Tychikos' lawyers respond to media accusations

The hierarch's lawyers called the television stories targeted harassment.

EU Court: Hungary's law protecting children from LGBT violates legislation

The European Court ruled that Hungary's ban on promoting LGBT ideology among minors contradicts "EU values".

Facts of persecution against UOC included in world's human rights report

The Amnesty International report points to pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and criticism from UN experts.

Pasika activist urges believers to join Uniates if they don't want to go to OCU

Choknadiy called on UOC believers to join the Greek Catholic Church, since they refuse to join the OCU.

OCU “priest” urges SBU to punish local community head for backing UOC faithful

Volodymyr Pedko was outraged that a fallen serviceman was buried by a cleric of the canonical Church and promised to “sort things out” with the local authorities after the holidays.