The Ukrainian Parliament has passed a bill that bans religious groups linked to the Russian Orthodox Church, or those that support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The bill, approved with 265 votes, aims to target the Russian Orthodox Church for its alleged ties to the Russian government and its role in the war in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) is now at the center of this controversy, as it has historic ties to the Russian church. However, Bishop Metropolitan Klyment of the UOC insists on the church’s independence from Moscow and criticizes the new law as a violation of religious freedom. The Ukrainian government, on the other hand, claims that the UOC is still connected to the Russian church.
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), a separate entity from the UOC, supports the new law, citing Patriarch Kirill’s support for the war in Ukraine as a reason to sever ties with the Russian church. The bill now awaits the signature of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has expressed a commitment to guaranteeing Ukrainian spiritual independence.
This move by the Ukrainian government reflects its ongoing efforts to distance itself from Russian influence and assert its own national identity. Critics argue that the bill infringes on religious freedom, while supporters see it as necessary for protecting Ukraine from external interference. The fate of the UOC and its relationship with Moscow remains uncertain as the country continues to navigate its political and religious landscape in the wake of conflict.
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