Television Broadcaster Suspilne Chernivtsi Faces Criticism for Misleading Guide on Church Transfers

A meeting to "transfer" UOC churches in Chernivtsi. Photo: molbuk

CHERNIVTSI, UKRAINE — The regional website of the state television broadcaster Suspilne Chernivtsi has published disputed information regarding the procedure for religious communities transferring from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

In an article authored by Alina Khryshchuk, the outlet claimed that residents of a territorial community have the right to vote at meetings deciding on such transfers. The publication stated that a transfer requires the convening of a general community meeting, followed by a vote, after which community residents must register a new charter.

The article also asserted that in 2025, 38 UOC communities in the Chernivtsi region had “voluntarily transferred” to the OCU—more than in all previous years combined.

However, critics note that this guidance contradicts Article 8 of Ukraine’s Law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations.” The law clearly stipulates that only registered members of a religious community may participate in meetings to change the community’s confessional affiliation, excluding residents of the broader territorial community who are not members.

Previously, the UOJ reported one of many canonical UOC parishes that refused to be transfered to the schismatic OCU. 

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