OCU Synod permits “bishops” and “clerics” to run for deputies

Head of OCU Epiphany Dumenko. Photo: TSN

On May 24, 2019, the “Holy Synod” of the OCU made a decision according to which the “clerics” of this church structure can become deputies of local governments, the head of the OCU, Epiphany Dumenko, said during the briefing on the results of the “Synod” meeting.

“At the local level, with the blessing of one or another bishop, a priest has the right to take part in elections to the city council, village or territorial community. That is, with the blessing of the bishop, he can occupy only a position that is not a permanent,” the TSN TV channel reported Epiphany’s words.

However, the "clergy" of the OCU cannot be deputies of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine at the same time, the head of the OCU noted.

"The clergy have no right to participate directly, to be candidates," he said.

Epiphany also spoke about the decision of the “Holy Synod”, according to which the OCU will be guided in its activities by “Holy Tradition, Holy Scripture and the statute that was adopted on December 15 (2018 – Ed.)”. According to the “primate” of the new religious organization, this decision was made almost unanimously, and only “honorary patriarch” Filaret did not sign it. “What was promulgated by His Holiness Patriarch Filaret was testified by him at the meeting of the Holy Synod. <...> We had deliberations, we convinced him, but everyone saw that His Holiness Patriarch Filaret, unfortunately, agreed to disagree,” the TSN TV channel reported Epiphany’s words.

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