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.
Bishop Ambrose of Trakai stated that Ukraine cannot serve as an example for Lithuania in respecting the rights of believers. The vicar of the Vilnius Diocese of the Lithuanian Orthodox Church said this at a press conference at the Dormition Cathedral in Vilnius on October 20, 2026.
The hierarch expressed deep concern over attempts by certain politicians to transfer the experience of the religious conflict in Ukraine to Lithuanian soil. According to the bishop, in Lithuania, parliamentarians are trying to justify anti-Church legislative initiatives by citing a threat to national security, yet there are no concrete facts confirming such accusations.
The clergy's press conference was held because of two bills submitted to the Seimas, which provide for the seizure of ancient churches and the Holy Spirit Monastery from the Lithuanian Orthodox Church, as well as the exclusion of the Church from the list of traditional religious communities.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Council of the Lithuanian Church opposed the bills on the seizure of churches.
