The clergy of UOC communities abroad respond to Kovalenko's fakes

Clergymen of the Western European Vicariate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Photo: vzcz.church.ua

On May 3, 2024, the DECR UOC website published a response from the Western European Vicariate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church to an interview with a former priest of the UOC, now a clergyman of the OCU, Georgiy Kovalenko, in which false information was spread, in particular, about the activities of foreign UOC communities.

The statement emphasizes that the purpose of this interview was evidently to discredit the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by spreading false and unreliable information, manipulating facts, and false testimonies.

"The accusations of allegedly involving UOC communities abroad in pro-Russian activities or spreading pro-Russian narratives are absolutely untrue and unfounded. Moreover, no evidence of such alleged activities is provided in the mentioned interview," the message said.

Also, according to the clergy of the UOC abroad, such accusations can be seen as a personal insult to those numerous parishioners who have not only lost their homes due to Russian military aggression but often their relatives as well.

"At the same time, critics of the OCU prefer stubbornly not to notice the spiritual, social, and patriotic activities carried out by the UOC communities abroad," they added.

They stressed that the believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are not allegedly Ukrainians with allegedly Ukrainian passports, as stated in the comment by the mentioned clergyman, but full-fledged citizens of their homeland.

"The opening of our Church communities abroad aims not to prove something to someone or engage in jurisdictional disputes, but is an urgent response and answer to the real spiritual needs of the believers of the UOC abroad, who seek to maintain a connection both with their spiritual family in Ukraine and to find in the places of their temporary residence a part of their homeland. We thank God for allowing us to provide them with such an opportunity, sharing with them all the afflictions of this warfare," representatives of the Western European Vicariate wrote.

They drew attention to a phenomenon that occurs in many organizations, including, unfortunately, in the church: nobody criticizes the activities of an organization as much as its former member.

"This phenomenon has long been known and studied in social sciences. Often the opinions of former participants are distorted or exaggerated for personal reasons or other reasons. It creates the impression that mudslinging is an integral part of proving loyalty to a new organization, gaining the trust of new colleagues, and personal gain from management. It is regrettable that such things happen in structures associated with Christ and His Church," the statement said.

The clergy called on every faithful citizen of Ukraine during this special period of Holy Week not to succumb to political manipulations but to immerse themselves in humility and prayer.

"May our thoughts and prayers be focused on the Cross sufferings and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who brought us light, gave us peace, and proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom of God," they wished.

As the UOJ wrote, Georgiy Kovalenko, in an interview with the channel "We are Ukraine", claimed that the UOC communities abroad are actually engaged in promoting "pro-Russian narratives" in Europe. He accused the DECR UOC Deputy Chairman, Archpriest Mykolay Danylevych, of coordinating this process.

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