All-Ukrainian Council of Churches Calls Prime Minister to Speed up the Introduction of Reduced Utilities Tariffs

KYIV – The All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO) expressed concern over the ungrounded delay by the local councils and their executive bodies, particularly in Kyiv, in fulfilling Resolution 182 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of 24.02.2010.   The document stipulates a reduction in the utilities and central heating prices for religious organizations so they are equal with the tariffs set for the general population.

The head of the council, Bishop Markian Trofymiak, on the instruction of the council of April 28 addressed Ukraine’s Prime Minister Mykola Azarov with a petition in this regard, reports the Institute of Religious Freedom.

The all-Ukrainian council reminded the government that the religious organizations are non-profit, have no commercial goals, and consist of believing citizens of Ukraine who maintain religious buildings with donations. Some of the buildings are architectural monuments and require proper heating and maintenance.