Authorities urge Filaret followers to dialogue with OCU

Elena Bogdan. Photo: ukrinform.com

On February 24, 2021, the head of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, Elena Bogdan, during a press conference, where she presented a report on the results of her department's work in the main areas of activity for 2020, urged supporters of the UOC KP to start a dialogue with the OCU, ukrinform.ru reports.

In particular, Elena Bogdan, when asked by the chancellor of the UOC-KP Andrei Marutsak about the status of the Kyiv Patriarchate, which is ignored at all levels of government, answered that “no one prevents Patriarch Filaret from performing services, proclaiming sermons,” but said that all the real estate of the UOC-KP was registered in favor of the OCU.

“Your support of your spiritual leader is important to us, but we also need to hear other believers. If you see any opportunity for dialogue, our service would be grateful to help him. We have a number of legal conflicts due to this situation. On the one hand, the UOC-KP proclaims it does not belong to the OCU metropolitanate, but the real estate is legally registered in favor of the OCU, which pays the bills. Our service would be grateful for the dialogue between you and the representatives of the OCU,” added Elena Bogdan.

As the UOJ previously reported, Servants of the People Party is proposing to close religious organizations “for treason”. 

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