Lawyer: RCC is complicit in violations of Orthodox rights in Ukraine
Oleg Denisov. Photo: UOJ
The Catholic Church is complicit in violations of the rights of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's believers because, being able to influence specific conflicts involving clerics of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, it does not do so. This view was expressed by Oleg Denisov, head of the NGO "Public Advocacy", in an interview published on the website of the human rights organization.
The human rights defender noted that the UGCC – "a division of the Catholic Church in Ukraine" – is one of the strongest opponents of the UOC, "in particular, the UGCC clerics often lead the seizures of UOC temples and widely use radical nationalist slogans and hate speech against UOC believers”.
For example, this is the case in Zolochiv, Lviv region, where UGCC clerics catalyzed an attack on the home property of a UOC priest who "dared" to use his own land plot to conduct religious services there. As a result, the mayor of Zolochiv, with a sledgehammer in his hands, held a "people's veche" in front of the cleric's house and adopted an appeal to the President of Ukraine demanding that the Moscow Patriarchate be banned in Ukraine," Oleg Denisov reminded. “These actions were actively supported by the clerics of the UGCC. Also, the clerics of the UGCC seized the church of the UOC in the town of Kolomyia, Ivano-Frankivsk region, and participated in many other conflicts. Many examples of their open hostile rhetoric towards the parishioners of the UOC are widely known only because this Church is canonically associated with the ROC.”
He added that in the case of the seizure of the temple of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Kolomyia, the NGO "Public Advocacy" directly addressed the representatives of the Vatican during the OSCE meeting “but they left this appeal unattended".
"Therefore, yes, we can say that the Catholic Church, being able to influence specific conflicts in Ukraine, does not do this and is thus complicit in human rights violations against Orthodox Christians in Ukraine," said the head of the NGO "Public Advocacy”.
As reported, during the 45th regular session of the UNHRC, which is held in Geneva from September 14 to October 7, 2020, representatives of the NGO "Public Advocacy" reported the violations of UOC believers’ rights.
Read also
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.
First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language
The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.
OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law
Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’
In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.
Historic $2.9 Million Bequest Strengthens Greek Orthodox Foundation
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Foundation has received a record $2.9 million bequest from the late Andy Efthim, a devoted layman whose faith-filled generosity will support the Church’s mission for generations.