Yelensky duscusses consolidation of all faiths with Council of Churches

Yelensky at a meeting with representatives of the Council of Churches. Photo: dess.gov.ua

On December 6, 2024, Viktor Yelensky, head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), held a meeting in Chernivtsi with the Council of Churches and Religious Organizations to the Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration, as reported by DESS.

The event was attended by Ruslan Zaparaniuk, head of the Chernivtsi RMA; Bishop Josaphat Moschych of the Chernivtsi Eparchy of the UGCC; "Bishop" Feognost of Chernivtsi and Bukovyna (OCU); Ukrainian Ambassador to Romania Ihor Prokopchuk; and Nicolae-Dana Constantin, Consul of the General Consulate of Romania in Chernivtsi.

In his speech, Viktor Yelensky emphasized the importance of transitioning from the traditional model of church-state separation to a partnership model. In his view, this approach enables more effective interaction.

Special attention was given to analyzing Ukraine’s Law on the Protection of the Constitutional Order, which regulates the activities of religious organizations during martial law. Yelensky explained how, in his opinion, this law helps ensure that churches and religious communities operate within the legal framework.

The meeting addressed current issues concerning the protection of religious freedom during the war, the preservation of Bukovyna’s cultural and religious heritage, and support for unity among different denominations to strengthen Ukrainian society.

As previously reported by the UOJ, Yelensky lobbied for the interests of the OCU while in Romania.

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