Ukrainian Court Partially Upholds DESS Claim Against UOC Eparchy

KYIV — The Sixth Administrative Court of Appeal of Kyiv has partially upheld a claim by Ukraine’s State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) seeking the liquidation of the administration of the Rovenkiv Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

In its lawsuit, DESS sought both the termination of the religious organization’s activities and the transfer of its funds, assets, and property to the state, with an exception for religious property. However, the court declined to authorize the confiscation of the diocese’s property and funds, citing a gap in Ukrainian legislation.

According to the published decision, Ukrainian law does not establish a clear procedure for confiscating property or specify the responsibilities of a liquidation commission when a religious organization is dissolved through judicial proceedings. The court stated that the judiciary cannot assume the role of the legislature by independently creating procedures that lawmakers have not established.

The ruling therefore partially satisfied the government agency’s claim, granting its request to liquidate the eparchy’s administration while refusing the requested seizure of assets. As reported by UOJ-Ukraine, the decision highlights the legal questions surrounding the disposition of religious organizations’ property following court-ordered liquidation.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Ukrainian authorities designated the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy as affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church.