Ukraine’s parliament has overwhelmingly voted to advance legislation seen as effectively banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church over its ties to Moscow.
FILE - The Monastery of the Caves, also known as Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of the holiest sites of Eastern Orthodox Christians, is seen on March 23, 2023, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukraine's parliament overwhelmingly voted Thursday, Oct. 19, to advance legislation seen as effectively banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church over its ties to Moscow, despite the church's insistence that it is fully independent and supportive of Ukraine's fight against Russian invaders.
The UOC has historically been affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate. It declared its full independence from Moscow in May 2022, three months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and has repeatedly declared its loyalty and called on members to fight for Ukraine. Its leader, Metropolitan Onufry, said earlier this month that it's the “sacred duty” of every believer to defend Ukraine.
Many lawmakers burst into cheers Thursday as the chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ruslan Stefanchuk, read out the tally of the vote. When Stefanchuk called for the voting, he urged the lawmakers to “have faith in the Lord God and love Ukraine.” UOC leaders emphasized that the Rada vote was preliminary and called on representatives to revise the measure. The church legal department said it violates the right to freedom of religion established in the nation's constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Xi, Putin detail 'deepening' relations between Beijing and Moscow during conference in ChinaRussia-China trade climbed to $200 billion in the last year, Putin said.
Read more »
Xi, Putin detail 'deepening' relations between Beijing and MoscowRussia-China trade climbed to $200 billion in the last year, Putin said.
Read more »
Xi, Putin detail 'deepening' relations between Beijing and MoscowRussia-China trade climbed to $200 billion in the last year, Putin said.
Read more »
Xi, Putin detail 'deepening' relations between Beijing and MoscowRussia-China trade climbed to $200 billion in the last year, Putin said.
Read more »
Xi, Putin detail 'deepening' relations between Beijing and MoscowRussia-China trade climbed to $200 billion in the last year, Putin said.
Read more »
Xi, Putin detail 'deepening' relations between Beijing and MoscowRussia-China trade climbed to $200 billion in the last year, Putin said.
Read more »