Novynskyi: Bartholomew claimed 30 UOC bishops would join OCU

UOC delegation at the Phanar in 2018. Photo: UOC

Former MP and UOC Protodeacon Vadym Novynskyi, who was part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church delegation to the Phanar, told the Spanish channel HerQles details of the meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew that took place before the Tomos was granted to the OCU.

According to Fr. Vadym, the Ecumenical Patriarch was working from data that was plainly false about the situation in Ukraine. “According to his information, 40% of Ukrainians supported the creation of a new structure, while only 15% supported our canonical Church. I told him, ‘That is not true, it is false. You are being given incorrect information,’” the clergyman said.

In addition, Patriarch Bartholomew allegedly claimed that 30 UOC bishops were ready to take part in the unification council, which at the time would have amounted to about one-third of the episcopate. “Again, that was not true. Either they are deceiving you, or you are deceiving us,” Fr. Vadym said in response.

The protodeacon also recalled that during the meeting Patriarch Bartholomew gave direct assurances that no harm would be done to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

“When we were with him, he promised – I heard it myself – that they would not hurt the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. ‘We will not take rash or unjustified steps. We will not cause pain to the Church of Ukraine.’ But he broke those promises; he did not keep them,” Fr. Vadym said.

According to the clergyman, responsibility for all the consequences lies with the Ecumenical Patriarch: “The blood that is being shed – the blood of our parishioners defending our churches, of priests, parishioners, bishops – all of it is on his hands.”

Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to Fr. Vadym Novynskyi, lawmakers passed the law banning the UOC under threats from Yermak.

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