Hierarch of UOC: Vatican wants to use lack of canons in OCU for the union

Metropolitan Clement (Vecheria) of Nizhyn and Pryluky. Photo: news.church.ua

The Vatican can use disregard and negligence for the canons and dogmas of the Orthodox faith in the OCU to bring Ukrainians under the authority of the Pope, said the head of the Information and Education Department of the UOC, Metropolitan Clement of Nizhyn and Pryluky in an interview with the Serbian newspaper Pecat.

The bishop noted that the mission of Greek Catholics in Ukraine has remained unchanged since the 17th century – to bring Orthodox believers under the Pope's omophorion. But the UGCC does not cope with this task, so it cannot achieve the status of a patriarchate.

"I think that the Vatican has seen a new chance in the OCU and wants to use the lack of canonical principles and the need to adhere to the dogmas of the Orthodox faith in this religious community," said Metropolitan Clement.

As reported by the UOJ, Uniates and Catholics conducted a funeral service over the body of the "hierarch" of the OCU.

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