Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets proposed that the authorities amend the Act on Churches and Congregations to exclude the relationship of any church, congregation, association of congregations, monastery or other religious association operating in Estonia with any foreign organization that poses a threat to public or constitutional order in Estonia, supports military aggression or incitement to war, calls for terrorism or any other form of violent behavior.
According to the minister, the amendments to the law are needed as the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate failed to take any significant steps, reports the Christians Against War platform.
“Today, the Moscow Patriarchate is another weapon in Russia’s arsenal of influence, with the help of which it not only oppresses its own people, but also tries to poison the souls of people in other countries by abusing faith. In this context, taking into account the geographical location, historical experience and current reality, Estonia cannot accept the fact that the Estonian Orthodox Church belongs to the Moscow Patriarchate,” he said.
According to the minister, “the church must realize that the submission of Estonian parishes and believers to a hostile foreign power and an aggressive mother church is a threat to our religious freedom and the security of Estonia.”
It should be recalled that earlier, the Estonian authorities noted that changing the title of the church does not reduce the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate.
