State Ethnic Policy Service offers OCU to help with "transition" documents
Head of the State Ethnopoly Policy Elena Bogdan and the head of the OCU. Photo: OCU website
The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience will perform an "independent analysis" of documents on the transfer of religious communities from the UOC to the OCU and "conduct a professional dialogue" with the local authorities, the State Service promised on its Facebook page.
According to the authority, they pay attention to the possibility of performing an independent analysis of the documents because of "information in the media about obstruction by the regional state administrations" while transferring communities from the UOC to the Dumenko-led structure. As an example of such regional state administrations, they referred only to the Kyiv RSA.
Although the officials did not name a specific media outlet, most likely such a response followed the last interview of the head of the OCU, where Dumenko expressed his indignation that not a single statute had been re-registered in the Kyiv region after the change of power. He said that the authorities did not explain this in any way, but "find some kind of legal points."
The State Service did not mention problems with registration or re-registration of communities of other religious organizations.
“If a religious community believes that a RSA incorrectly worked with its registration documents, it can provide copies of these documents to the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy along with a copy of the RSA's replies (in case the RSA provided official responses to a religious community),” the State Service noted. “In this case, it will be able to analyze the compliance of the submitted documents with the current legislation and initiate a professional dialogue with the Regional State Administration. Thanks to a comprehensive analysis with respect for the current legislation, it will be possible to take constructive steps in order to protect the free expression of the will of believers."
As reported by the UOJ, the head of the OCU Epiphany Dumenko recently announced a "large-scale wave of transitions" to the OCU.
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.