The Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate called Viktor Yanukovych to give the long-awaited response to the numerous addresses of the Kyivan Patriarchate.
The Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP) called Viktor Yanukovych to give the long-awaited response to the numerous addresses of the Kyivan Patriarchate and to facilitate revision by the state of its position on matters of relations with religious organizations in order for the state to be governed in all its actions by the legislative principle of equality of all denominations without distinguishing only one of them.
“We assure you that the Kyivan Patriarchate is ready for a constructive dialogue and fruitful cooperation with you and all the representatives of the authorities for the sake of achieving social stability, civic accord
They also reminded Viktor Yanukovych that lobbying only one denomination poses a threat of mass confrontations as Ukraine is a multidenominational state.
“But if the use of force and raids on the parishes of the Kyivan Patriarchate in the east of Ukraine are not stopped, we will not be able to suppress indignation of our adherents in the west of Ukraine. Who will then guarantee peaceful existence, for instance, of the Pochayiv Monastery?” the bishops expressed.
According to the bishops, it is the authorities who should care about it and work to develop interdenominational understanding instead of aggravating the situation.