Romanian Church: Clergy of Romanian communities in Ukraine belong to UOC
Vasile Bănescu, spokesperson for the Romanian Patriarchate. Photo: basilica.ro
Priests of the Romanian communities in Ukraine do not belong to the Romanian Patriarchate, but mostly to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, reports basilica.ro, citing the spokesperson for the Romanian Patriarchate Vasile Bănescu.
According to the spokesman, Orthodox Romanians in Ukraine, including priests, " have the duty to conscience to adapt in a wise Christian, honest and realistic way" to respond to the "tragic reality" that exists in the country today.
"It is essential to preserve and cultivate the Christian conscience, fidelity to the truth of faith and the moral values born of it," Bănescu said.
At the same time, he stressed that the Romanian Orthodox Church advocates respect for the rights of the ethnic Romanian minority, preserving its linguistic, religious and cultural identity in all countries, not only in Ukraine.
As noted by basilica.ro, according to the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, in Ukraine, there are more than 120 Romanian Orthodox parishes, located mainly in the northern part of the Chernivtsi-Bukovyna Eparchy of the UOC.
As earlier reported, Romanian politician Gelu Visan harshly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Romania TV because of the repression against the UOC. In particular, Visan accused Zelenskyy of planning to close "100 Romanian churches".
Read also
In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom
Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."
Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot
The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.
Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution
International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.
Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children
“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.
His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv
At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.
Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects
According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.