UCCRO, WCC discuss possible OCU membership in World Council of Churches
A World Council of Churches delegation visited Kyiv to learn about the activities of Dumenko’s organization as part of its review of the OCU’s membership application.
The Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) met with a delegation from the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Kyiv to discuss the possible admission of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) to the international body.
The WCC delegation included representatives of religious organizations from Europe and Africa, while OCU leader Epifaniy Dumenko headed the UCCRO delegation.
One of the main purposes of the visit was to learn more about the OCU’s activities as the WCC considers its application for membership. According to the delegation, the participation of Ukrainian Churches in the global ecumenical movement should help ensure that “Ukraine’s voice is better heard internationally.”
UCCRO members also briefed their international counterparts on the state of interreligious and interchurch relations in Ukraine, placing particular emphasis on the OCU’s “important role” in the council’s activities. The two sides exchanged views on ways to strengthen mutual understanding and explore opportunities for further cooperation.
As the UOJ previously reported, UCCRO criticized peace initiatives concerning Ukraine put forward by “certain Western countries.”
