Bremer on persecuted UOC bishop: Punishment for other views is unacceptable

Thomas Bremer, a professor of theology at the University of Münster (Germany), made a statement regarding the investigation against Metropolitan Yevlogy of Sumy and Akhtyrka. The renowned theologian analyzed the sermon on which the UOC hierarch was accused of "inciting religious hatred and enmity" (Article 161 Part 1 of the Criminal Code). This was reported on the website of the Sumy Diocese.

The theologian notes that in his sermon, Metropolitan Yevlogy criticizes the government and its actions against the UOC, comparing it to the situation during the Soviet era.

"Sometimes it sounds like harsh criticism, but there is nothing that goes beyond a heated political discussion," he notes.

Bremer also comments on the statements of the UOC hierarch regarding the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

"...He uses the word 'schism' and compares the situation to the 1920s in the Soviet Union. He cites the fact that some Orthodox Churches question the validity of ordinations in the OCU, calling these ordinations dubious and suggesting his own proposal to re-ordain their clergy," the analysis states.

"I do not see any incitement to religious discord here," the theologian adds.

The main point, in his opinion, which could be taken as evidence, is precisely the question of the validity of ordinations in the OCU and, consequently, the question of whether the OCU is a church.

However, he believes that "on the issue of ordinations, the metropolitan expresses an opinion that can often be found among Orthodox theologians and bishops."

"This is a strict position, but it is not unusual in the world of Orthodoxy," Bremer writes.

According to him, the positions expressed by Metropolitan Yevlogy in his sermon are shared by many other people, including in theological and church circles.

Thomas Bremer reminded of the statement made at the UN Human Rights Council by the Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN in Geneva, Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, about the impossibility of equating expressions of religious and moral beliefs with hate speech.

"Although I do not agree with everything he (Metropolitan Yevlogy – Ed.) said in this sermon. But having a different view on something should not be punished. Otherwise, representatives of almost all Churches in Ukraine could be accused or held accountable. The thoughts of the metropolitan are not extraordinary or extreme, and they represent his position in a wide range of possible viewpoints," concludes the professor.

As reported by the UOJ, on March 8, 2024, Metropolitan Theodosiy spoke at the UN about repression against bishops and believers of the UOC.