Minister of Culture surprised by claims of Poroshenko and OCU against SBI

Epiphany Dumenko and Petro Poroshenko. Photo: liga.net

Minister of Culture of Ukraine Alexander Tkachenko is surprised by the statements both from the side of the former president Poroshenko and from the representatives of the OCU that the Tomos was the subject of the SBI's  investigation. Mr. Tkachenko wrote about this on June 20 in his telegram channel.

According to him, the information voiced by Petro Poroshenko and the representatives of the OCU “is not true”, since “autocephaly and Tomos are a church matter”, “and the claim of the honorary patriarch to the former president is a legal matter and in no way relates to the status of the OCU in either the state or in world Orthodoxy.”

“The Church should remain out of politics,” said the Minister of Culture of Ukraine.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that on June 18, 2020, speaking to those gathered at the building of the Pechersk District Court in Kyiv, Petro Poroshenko said that a criminal case had been opened against him because of the Tomos.

On June 19, the OCU issued a statement, according to which the current criminal case against Petro Poroshenko “is a shameful and absurd attempt to put pressure on the Orthodox Church of Ukraine”.

Read also

Bp. Theodosius: Ukraine's Authorities Classify Icons as Works of Art and Relics as Mummies

ROCOR hierarch links current policies toward holy sites and clergy to Soviet-era repression, calls for prayer and respect for religious freedom.

Society of St. John's Day of Action Gives Hope Persecution of UOC May Subside, Analyst Says

Political scientist says congressional outreach and high-level U.S. statements signal possible shift in response to persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Catholic Host of 'Roots of Orthodoxy' Says Orthodox Apologists are 'Disgusting', 'Trash'

"You Orthodox apologists are absolutely freaking disgusting," Cabada said. "You're a disgusting human being. You're trash. I'm not scared to say that."

Rep. Bacon: 'I Don't Think the UOC Takes Orders from Russia'

Earlier this week, the congressman rejected an opportunity for dialogue with members of the Society of St. John who visited his office despite them holding the same viewpoint.

Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture

Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.

JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism

Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.