Author of bill to ban UOC urges MPs to speed up decision

The author of the draft law against the UOC and an MP of the Verkhovna Rada from the Holos party, Inna Sovsun, is not satisfied with the fact that her colleagues are in no hurry to liquidate the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, reports Glavcom.

According to her, this is because many MPs fear that drastic steps towards the UOC will lead to a split in society. However, according to Sovsun, this is erroneous.

"We need to put pressure on both the Council of Churches and politicians with arguments that it (the preservation of the UOC – Ed.) threatens national security. At the same time, the Council of Churches not only hinders this but also, for example, the ratification of the Istanbul Convention," the MP complained and urged the Ministry of Culture to break the lease agreements with the Lavras whose buildings are state-owned.

"The more we talk about banning the UOC, the more chances there are to finalise this issue," Sovsun concluded.

As reported, two bills on banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church were submitted to the Verkhovna Rada – from the Svoboda party, whose author is Oksana Savchuk, and from the Holos party. However, the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, said that no law capable of dividing society would be passed during the war.

As the UOJ wrote there is no law in Ukraine which would give local authorities the right to ban the UOC.

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.