The head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, said that gender ideology, as well as ratification of the Istanbul Convention, would bring nothing good to Ukraine, but only deepen the confrontation in society.
Metropolitan Epifaniy spoke at a meeting of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) and Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, the press service of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine reports.
“I appeal to you, as Prime Minister – and this is our common position (at the UCCRO) – ed.), with a request to focus on improving existing laws. Promoting the (Istanbul – ed.) Convention, in which the good things of combating domestic violence are mixed with unnatural gender ideology, will only deepen the confrontation in society. In the 20th century, many experiments have been set up to please our modern ideologies, and Ukraine is still unable to recover from their consequences. The practice of such ideological experiments should not be continued in the 21st century,” the metropolitan said.
The head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine noted that for many years, the UCCRO, which represents the religious community of Ukraine, has been proving the flaws of the ratification of the so-called Istanbul Convention by the state as the document aims to promote gender ideology instead of the concept of natural gender.
“We are sorry to hear again that the objections and explanations provided by experts remain unheard at the state level. Throughout this time, we have finally become convinced that the supporters of the convention are not really concerned about combating domestic violence as such, but about the possibility of introducing in Ukrainian legislation a distinction between the concept of natural gender and imaginary gender.”
Metropolitan Epifaniy has warned that, if the Istanbul Convention is ratified, those who consider same-sex relationships a sin may face criminal prosecution.
“On this foundation, they seek to continue to advance the agenda of gender ideology, to the point of censorship and criminal prosecution of those who consider same-sex sexual intercourse a sin – as is the case in a number of countries that have previously embarked on a similar path,” he added.
He noted that several years have passed since the adoption of laws, including with the support of the Council of Churches, enacting mechanisms to combat domestic violence – even better and more effective ones than those proposed by the convention.
“We think it is fair that before proceeding with the ratification of this ideological document, the state has carefully studied how these existing mechanisms are being employed… And if some quality additional measures must be taken, make the fight against domestic violence even more effective by supplementing existing laws, not through public outrage and coercion,” said Metropolitan Epifaniy, head of the OCU.
It should be recalled that we previously reported of members of the UCCRO opposing the Istanbul Convention during a meeting with the Prime Minister of Ukraine.
The head of the OCU also called for an end to the demographic crisis and support for the family.
