Estonian Parliament Overrules President, Moves to Ban Orthodox Church
TALLINN — Estonia’s Constitutional Committee voted Monday to advance a contentious bill targeting the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCC), despite President Alar Karis rejecting it twice as potentially unconstitutional.
The Law on Churches and Parishes, criticized for its broad impact on religious groups, aims to ban the church due to its alleged ties to the Moscow Patriarchate, which Parliament labeled a supporter of military aggression last year.
Committee Chairman Ando Kiviberg defended the bill, prioritizing national security over religious freedom, though no specific threat from the church was cited.
The decision wasn’t unanimous, with Anastasia Kovalenko-Kõlvart (Centre Party) opposing and Ants Frosch (Isamaa) abstaining. Kovalenko-Kõlvart warned the law violates the constitution and could affect other associations.
The Legal Affairs Committee will review the bill in September, likely recommending it proceed unchanged, potentially leading to a Supreme Court challenge.
The EOCC had thanked President Karis for rejecting the bill, the UOJ reported.
Read also
Attempted Arson at Hagia Sophia Quickly Contained, Suspect in Custody
Incident follows evening prayer service; authorities say suspect has history of mental illness.
Surrogates More Likely to Suffer from Mental Illness
Nearly half of surrogate mothers face risk of new-onset mental health issues, according to a recent study.
Nearly 2,000 Pilgrims Participate in Procession to Pochaiv Lavra
“We walked openly, prayed together, and were amazed that 1,800 of us came together," one pilgrim said.
Patriarch Bartholomew Seeks to Create a 'Common Sacred Worldview'
Patriarch Bartholomew clarified that the goal is not a unified global religion but a “global alliance of conscience” opposed to a “reductive materialist worldview."
Schismatic Anglican Bishop Schisms from Schismatic Anglican Sect
The split reflects Giffin’s resistance to a potential APA merger with the Anglican Catholic Church—another small, schismatic Anglican body.
Macedonian and Ukrainian Bishops Concelebrate for the First Time
The newly-autocephalous Macedonian Church refused to recognize the schismatic Orthodox Church of Ukraine.