News

UOC requests Poroshenko to reject bill on church renaming passed by Verkhovnaya Rada

Kiev, December 21, Interfax - The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has requested Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko to veto the bill that obliges the UOC to indicate in its official name that it belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church.

"We find this law unconstitutional and are planning to defend our rights using all legal means. We are requesting the Ukrainian president to resort to his right of veto with regard to this bill," the UOC's legal department said in a statement after Ukraine's Verkhovnaya Rada passed the bill.

The bill violates freedom of religion and discriminates against millions of Ukrainian believers belonging to the UOC on a religious basis. It is also against the Ukrainian Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the UOC said.

"Ukraine is a secular state, which makes it impossible to impose, on a legislative level, any benefits or restrictions for any kind of religious associations. And forcing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to change its name is nothing but interference with its business that can lead to unpredictable consequences for society," it said.

Ukraine's Verkhovnaya Rada on Thursday approved in general a bill obliging the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate to indicate in its official name that it is part of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Print this page

Home

News

.	Customize latest news

• Trial of Aum Shinrikyo's Russian cell head begins in Rostov-on-Don 27 May 2020, 21:23
• Siberian hermit Agafya Lykova does not know much about coronavirus, but prays for the sick 27 May 2020, 18:17
• The Protection Monastery in Moscow with St. Matrona relics opened for parishioners in spite of the acting ban of Russian Church 27 May 2020, 17:04
• Yekaterinburg diocese bans services of priest who cursed those who close churches over pandemic 27 May 2020, 11:17
• Defense team for Yakutia's shaman Gabyshev asks ECHR for urgent effort toward his release 26 May 2020, 13:56
• Chief rabbi of Russia believes attention to our neighbors to be the main achievement of the pandemic 25 May 2020, 16:12
• Coronavirus may be part of biopsychological war - Russian Orthodox Church 25 May 2020, 15:09
• Kiev Lavra of the Caves reopens following quarantine 25 May 2020, 14:03
• Police talked to Metropolitan Longin of Saratov as he came to the market without a mask 22 May 2020, 18:08
• Chairman of coordination center of North Caucasus Muslims hospitalized in Moscow 22 May 2020, 18:07
• The Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia to deliver 240 tons of Kosher food to those in need 22 May 2020, 17:43
• Russian Orthodox Church speaker calls its financial situation extremely difficult 22 May 2020, 16:52
• St. Petersburg's Evening Light charity to appeal designation of U.S. preacher Branham's materials as extremist 22 May 2020, 13:38
• Russian Orthodox Church organizes donation of blood from people who recovered from coronavirus 21 May 2020, 16:47
• Moldovan PM, in response to Synod's threats, calls for praying for Orthodox clergy's clarity of mind 21 May 2020, 12:55
• Muslims of Tatarstan to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in their homes 21 May 2020, 10:22
• Russian Orthodox Church yet to decide whether Patriarch Kirill will visit Serbia in Oct 20 May 2020, 19:50
• Moldovan Orthodox Church says Bill Gates, 5G dangerous for mankind 20 May 2020, 19:46
• Rabbi Lazar believes pandemic is a result of people's disassociation 20 May 2020, 13:35
• Archpriest Dimitry Smirnov recovered from coronavirus 19 May 2020, 21:04
• Jews all over the world celebrate the Victory Day according to the Jewish calendar 19 May 2020, 12:15
• Putin recommends Russian Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr at home (updated) 18 May 2020, 16:30
• World Russian People's Assembly, led by Patriarch Kirill, demands investigation into causes of pandemic 18 May 2020, 13:38
• LGBT activists in Georgia hold annual rally online due to pandemic 18 May 2020, 11:39
• Life has become a priority first time in Russian history during Covid-19 pandemic - Jewish leader 15 May 2020, 12:22
• Family climate worsens for 10% of Russians in self-isolation, 19% claim opposite - poll 14 May 2020, 18:53
• Eid al-Fitr will not cause crowds outside Moscow's main mosque this year due to coronavirus 14 May 2020, 18:49
• Yakut shaman Gabyshev forcibly taken to mental hospital 12 May 2020, 19:07
• Annual Jewish parade to commemorate the end of epidemic will be held online 12 May 2020, 13:13
• Metropolitan Hilarion opposes Stalin's mosaic portrait at Russia's Armed Forces main church 12 May 2020, 10:26

Other news