58 MPs oppose criminal liability for pro-family actions
A large-scale procession in defence of traditional family values in Kyiv, 2019. Photo: rubryka.com
On 27 April 2020, 58 MPs from several factions sent a collective parliamentary appeal to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee for Law Enforcement Denis Monastyrsky criticizing draft law No. 3316 "On Amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine (on combating hate crimes on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity), reports the "Institute of Religious Freedom".
Draft Law No. 3316 proposes the introduction of criminal liability for "degrading dignity of persons or groups of persons based on sexual orientation or gender identity".
People's deputies believe that such novelties may become the basis for criminal prosecution of participants in peaceful protests against the propaganda of gender ideology and in defence of family values and natural sexual relations.
Parliamentarians also asked Monastyrsky to take into account the arguments of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, which earlier had also opposed the bill.
Read also
Orthodoxy Grows in West with Baptisms in Chile and Netherlands
Converts were received into the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas and the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Western Europe, respectively.
Theophilos Greets Kirill After Snubbing Bartholomew
The Patriarch of Jerusalem met with the Patriarch of Jerusalem during a conference in Kazakhstan. Notably, Theophilos avoided meeting the Patriarch of Constantinple during his recent visit to Istanbul.
Abp. Alexei: How to Pray as a Family
"If a family prays together," His Eminence said, "the household becomes a little tower in that vineyard."
Pat. Bartholomew Honors U.S. Traditions, Greek Heritage in Washington Visit
Bartholomew lays wreath at Arlington, meets with U.S. leaders, and blesses faithful in Virginia.
Police Return Relics of St. Raphael to St. Vladimir's Seminary
Yonkers officers, K9 unit honored with blessing and thanksgiving at the seminary.
Conference to Celebrate 100 Years of ROCOR in Germany
The event will take place from May 6-8, 2026 at the historic Blutenburg Castle near St. Job of Pochaev Monastery near Munich.