MP on Bill 8371: This is a geopolitical issue based on religion

Fedir Venislavskyi. Photo: Office of the President

The MP and member of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, Defense, and Intelligence, Fedir Venislavskyi, stated that although Bill 8371 does not directly ban the UOC, but only those religious organizations whose management centers are located in the aggressor country, "everyone perfectly understands what this is about." He said this in an interview with Obozrevatel.

"This is already geopolitics based on religion. And, unfortunately, there are a certain number of pro-Russian-minded deputies in the parliament," he concluded.

Venislavskyi called the legislative initiative 8371 good and adequate.

"It fully complies with the Constitution of Ukraine and all international norms in the field of freedom of conscience. By the way, all international acts provide for the possibility of restricting the right to activities of religious organizations if it works in the interest of public safety, ensuring human rights and freedoms," the MP said.

As the UOJ reported, European Solidarity MP Rostyslav Pavlenko stated that the minority in the Verkhovna Rada that supports the Moscow Patriarchate hopes to use this connection in future elections or in the negotiation process with Russia.

Read also

Orthodox and Catholic bishops make joint visit to Mount Athos

The head of the Phanar blessed a joint pilgrimage to Mount Athos by Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishops.

UOC Kryvyi Rih Eparchy marks 30th anniversary

Metropolitan Yefrem led the anniversary Divine Liturgy in Kryvyi Rih.

Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”

The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”

Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl

UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.

Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom

The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.

Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million

Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.