UOC сomments on SBU-initiated bill on banning religious denominations

Metropolitan Clement. Photo: screenshot from the YouTube channel "Ukrainian Orthodox Church"

Metropolitan Clement, the head of the Information Department of the UOC, has commented on the bill initiated by the SBU that aims to expand the authorities' power to liquidate religious organizations in Ukraine.

According to Metropolitan Clement, this initiative in parliament is seen as yet another attempt to ban the UOC. However, if this bill is passed, it would necessitate the banning of many religious organizations.

"Believe me, if this 'Pandora's box' is opened even a crack, the public will quickly remind law enforcement agencies of numerous violations mentioned in the bill committed by representatives of the OCU, Protestant organizations, and Islamic organizations. In light of recent information scandals, even a non-lawyer can clearly see that Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic communities will be the first target," said the bishop.

Metropolitan Clement also called on UOC believers not to violate the laws of Jesus Christ and to follow Christian moral commandments.

"Our Leader is the Lord Jesus Christ. If we do not violate His laws, then no one will ever be able to truthfully prove that we violated state laws. This is the universality of Christian moral commandments. The current situation is, first and foremost, a spiritual test of who we are as Christians," he added.

As previously reported by SPZH, the SBU initiated a bill on the liquidation of denominations associated with Russia.

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