Yelensky briefs Danish Council of Churches on law against UOC
Viktor Yelensky with Danish Council of Churches General Secretary Emil Saggau. Photo: DESS Facebook page
DESS head Viktor Yelensky discussed restrictions against the UOC with foreign guests. The official sought to convince Danish Council of Churches General Secretary Emil Saggau that Ukraine’s Law “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Sphere of Activities of Religious Organizations” was justified.
During the talks in Kyiv, Yelensky spoke in detail about the practical mechanisms for implementing the law on protecting the constitutional order in the religious sphere. He claimed that concerns within the European community about the closure of parishes, seizure of property and complete liquidation of the UOC were supposedly groundless speculation.
In addition to discussing legislative initiatives, the two sides addressed the social ministry of various religious denominations amid the ongoing hostilities. Yelensky told the Danish guest about humanitarian assistance provided by religious communities to Ukrainian service members, internally displaced persons and socially vulnerable groups.
General Secretary Emil Saggau briefed the Ukrainian side on the activities of Danish religious organizations and projects carried out within the framework of the World Council of Churches. The Danish representative confirmed his readiness to develop bilateral contacts in the humanitarian and information spheres. At the end of the meeting, he assured the organizers of the continued support of his country’s religious communities.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Yelensky had briefed the World Council of Churches on the law aimed at banning the UOC.
Read also
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.
DESS official says state should not govern the Church
A DESS official called for cooperation between the state and the Church for the benefit of citizens.
Poltava court upholds mobilization of Protestant pastor
A court in the Poltava region ruled that a prior criminal conviction and religious beliefs do not exempt a person from military service.
Ostapenko: Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra would not exist without Soviet-era reserve
The reserve director spoke about the Soviet museum’s role in saving the monastery, while stressing the need to rethink its history.
Metropolitan Anthony criticizes DESS order on Boryspil Eparchy
The UOC chancellor rejected officials’ findings, pointing to procedural violations in the DESS review.
Two more parishes in Sloviansk reregistered under OCU
The organizer behind the transfer of UOC communities in Sloviansk said the reregistration of churches would continue.