Bartholomew's visit to Ukraine will provoke a new wave of violence and seizures of churches
The decision to invite Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to Ukraine to celebrate Independence Day may provoke a new wave of violence and seizures of UOC churches.
Archbishop Nikolai of the UOC (in the world Alexander Pochtovy) stated this at a press conference in Kyiv, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“The state supported religious organizations to a certain extent, religious organizations supported the state to a certain extent, but no one got involved in any spheres. Everyone lived more or less stable and in peace. And the violation of the Constitution led not just to tension, but to a religious war. ... We ask for the restoration of legality in relation to the UOC, we ask the state to enter into the mainstream of the Constitution and treat us the way the state treats other religious organizations. We are also citizens of Ukraine and should also enjoy the rights that Ukraine provides to its citizens,” the priest said.
According to him, the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to Ukraine is not even a challenge to the UOC, but to Ukrainians “who have experienced violence against themselves.”
“And who will Bartholomew come to us? How's the patriarch? Why then does the state invite only him? Who is Patriarch Bartholomew for Ukraine? Is he a representative of the Republic of Türkiye? No. So why is the government again violating the Constitution by giving preference to one religious leader while neglecting others?
And from the point of view of Ukrainian citizens, will “father” come to us? Is this "father"? Who needs this challenge, who benefits from supporting this mainstream, and for what? To intensify the religious crisis in Ukraine?” – added the priest.
“Then, after the tomos, we saw a wave of seizures of churches, we experienced violence, often bloody violence. We are worried and have every reason to believe that the visit of Patriarch Bartholomew to Ukraine will push to a new wave of violence against the UOC. But what? You need to show achievements, but there are none, then what should you do? The path is already known.
It seems right that the laity and civil society would appeal to the president and the authorities so that this invitation to the patriarch would be cancelled. For the sake of peace in Ukraine. That is, there seems to be one simple path in relations between church and state - the restoration of legality. I think peace is possible when everyone acts within the law. We follow the law, but we are treated as people outside the law,” concluded Archbishop Nikolai.
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