The Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy offered the parliament to adopt two laws at first reading: the previous prohibits organizations that may be related or subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), while the latter concerns the voluntary transition of communities from one church to another.
Deputy head of the Parliamentary Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy Yevhenia Kravchuk (Servant of the People faction) spoke on the issue.
“The decree of President Volodymyr Zelensky (No. 820/2022) deals with three key points. Firstly, the Russian Orthodox Church must exist and operate on the territory of Ukraine, because it is actually a division of the FSB, they all approve of the genocide of Ukrainians and bless it. Those religious structures that operate in Ukraine and have canonical connections with the Russian Orthodox Church pose a threat to our state. Secondly, the decree contains an appeal regarding ethnopolitics and freedom of conscience. It is necessary to check the charter of the church, which says that it has allegedly severed all ties with the Russian Orthodox Church, but has clerics there who are part of the (Russian – ed.) synod. That’s why many religious scholars claim that this is eye candy,” said Kravchuk.
According to her, the third component of the decree is state property, which is leased to certain religious communities.
“At least two Lavras – Pochaiv and Kyiv-Pecherk – are the property of the state and part of cultural reserves. This should also be checked. Therefore, it is not about banning the Ukrainian church, which adheres to common sense and the laws of Ukraine, but about organizations that may be related or subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church,” the politician stressed.
As for the draft law on the voluntary transition of communities from one church to another, in Ukraine it is necessary to ensure the right of citizens to do so without hindrance.
“In our country, the majority of parishioners of the Moscow Patriarchate actually relate with the Ukrainian church and do not want to be associated with the Russian one. This is important to ensure. We do not put pressure on freedom of conscience or religion. Of course, the debate is yet to be held in parliament. In addition, we are cooperating with the Cabinet of Ministers and waiting for the appointment of a new head of the relevant body – the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience,” the deputy informed.
She added that public welcomes the actions of law enforcement who do their job and identify outright traitors and collaborators.
