Laity to Dubno power: UOC ban is a knife in the back of Ukrainian soldiers

The Rivne branch of the Miriane Public Union sent an official appeal to the Dubno City Council regarding the decision of the city council of May 13, in which the deputies demanded from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to ban the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the country, the press service of the organization reports in its Telegram channel.

On May 13, 2022, at the regular session of the Dubno City Council, the deputies unanimously approved an appeal to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine with a demand to ban the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the country. They stated that the Verkhovna Rada should "immediately adopt the draft Law of Ukraine 'On the prohibition of the Moscow Patriarchate in the territory of Ukraine' No. 7204 dated March 22, 2022, submitted by the MP of Ukraine O. Savchuk, which will make the activities of the UOC impossible."

The Miriane emphasized that the decision of the Dubno deputies is illegal and destabilizes the situation in the country in wartime, while the actions of the deputies are provocative. “A possible ban on the UOC is a knife in the back of Ukrainian soldiers who are defending the Ukrainian people and their country on the front lines. They say they don't ask what faith you are in the trenches, so why should there be such questions in the political space? What should Ukrainian soldiers do – leave the front and return home to protect their families, their confessors from the initiatives of various politicians and so-called cultural and social activists?” the Miriane asked a rhetorical question.

The authors of the appeal reminded the deputies that the Moscow Patriarchate does not exist in Ukraine, but there is only the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with its center in Kyiv, registered in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine and governed by the Council, which includes clergy and believers - citizens of Ukraine.

“The UOC is the choice of the citizens of Ukraine, the spiritual consciousness of our people since the time of Kievan Rus… The ban on the UOC is disrespect for Ukrainian history, culture and many generations who professed this faith and passed it on to us, their heirs,” the appeal emphasized.

The Miriane reminded the authorities of Dubno that they must protect the interests of the citizens of Ukraine and respect the laws of Ukraine, while anti-constitutional actions against the UOC constitute a criminal offense. Attempts to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church violate the right of citizens to freedom of religion, harm the national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Under martial law, the ban on the UOC will lead to a religious conflict and confrontation in the peaceful territory of Ukraine.

The public union demanded that the deputies of the Dubno City Council take all possible steps to prevent the incitement of religious hatred in the region during wartime. In addition, the Miriane suggested that the deputies apologize to the believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Recall that on May 13, 2022, the authorities of Dubno gave the parishes of the UOC a month to move to the OCU.

As the UOJ wrote, the Miriane told the head of the Rivne Regional Council that to ban the UOC is to help the enemy.

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