German CDU member calls for investigation into murder of Sviatohirsk monk

Dr. Irina Volfson commented on the attack on monks in Ukraine. Photo: UOJ in Germany

Dr. Irina Volfson commented on the attack on monks in Ukraine. Photo: UOJ in Germany

Dr. Irina Volfson, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Equal Opportunities and Integration of Bonn, CDU member and participant in Christian-Jewish dialogue, stated the need for an independent investigation into the attack on the monastics of the Sviatohirsk Lavra, which resulted in the death of monk Varsonofiy, reports the UOJ-Germany.

According to her, the reports of the attack on the Sviatohirsk Lavra deeply shocked her. "The inviolability of human life, the protection of places of worship, and the right to practice one's faith free from fear are universal values," the German public figure emphasized.

She also drew a parallel with the situation of Jewish communities in Germany, which for many years have been under intense protection because they are subjected to violence and threats.

"This should deeply alarm us. It is all the more shocking, then, that something similar is now happening to another religious community in a different country. Freedom of religion and the protection of minorities must never depend on which religion a person belongs to," Volfson stated.

Dr. Volfson emphasized that all circumstances of what happened must be established and an independent investigation must be ensured.

"Where injustice occurs, the truth must come to light," she said, emphasizing that transparency and the establishment of truth are necessary conditions for restoring justice and trust.

Dr. Irina Volfson also called for interfaith solidarity and expressed condolences to the relatives of the deceased, the victims, and the entire brotherhood of the Sviatohirsk Lavra. She stressed that representatives of different religious communities must unite against hatred and violence.

As the UOJ previously reported, the UOC Chancellor called not to hush the murder of the Sviatohirsk Lavra monk.

Medieval сhurch сrumbles as Culture Ministry сites missing agreement

The 14th–15th-century St. Nicholas Church in Chesnyky, Ivano-Frankivsk Region, is falling into disrepair.

Poland сondemns Lviv Regional Council's decision to declare 2007 year of UPA

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says the Lviv Regional Council's decision to dedicate 2027 to the UPA and Roman Shukhevych is harmful to Ukraine.

OCU seeks court recognition of ownership of seized Cherkasy cathedral

The Cherkasy Regional Commercial Court will hear an OCU lawsuit seeking ownership of St. Michael's Cathedral, which was seized from UOC believers.

Lithuanian bishop: Ukraine is no model for believers' rights

Vicar of Vilnius Diocese voices concern over attempts to import Ukraine's religious conflict into Lithuania.

Hundreds of believers honor St. Alexis of Carpatho-Russia in Khust Eparchy

At the St. Nicholas Monastery in the village of Iza-Karputlash, Metropolitan Mark of Khust led a festive liturgy, concelebrated by six metropolitans, five archbishops and three bishops.

Court upholds UOC parish appeal in Voloshky over OCU switch dispute

The Northern Commercial Court of Appeal has upheld the appeal of the St. Nicholas parish of the UOC in the village of Voloshky, Volyn region, in a dispute over a transfer to the OCU.