Bill to ban Moscow Patriarchate sent to Estonian Parliament

23 January, 17:15
World news
Bill to ban Moscow Patriarchate sent to Estonian Parliament - фото 1
On Thursday, January 23, the Estonian government approved the bill submitted by Minister of Interior Lauri Läänemets to amend the Law on Churches and Parishes. According to Läänemets, the bill has been sent to the Riigikogu.

This was reported by ERR.

At a press conference following the government meeting, Läänemets said that churches, monasteries or other religious associations operating in Estonia cannot be affiliated with a foreign governing body that poses a threat to the state. They also cannot be associated with an organization supporting military aggression, the minister added.

According to Lauri Läänemets, these legislative amendments are necessary because the Orthodox Church, which is subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate, is the most important instrument of influence for Russia and the Kremlin in Estonia. If the Riigikogu approves the initiative, the Estonian Orthodox Church will have to change its charter, completely withdrawing from subordination to Moscow.

Läänemets added that the state respects freedom of religion and does not interfere in the activities of churches.

The purpose of the bill is to clarify the regulation in this area, taking into account the diversity of religious communities and the security situation in the world, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said earlier. The bill is aimed at preventing the use of religious organizations to incite hatred or violence against other peoples, religions, cultures or values space.

“The Estonian state stands for freedom of religion, and every person has the right to choose the religion they follow. Along with respecting freedom of religion, belief and association, the state must consider challenges that threaten state security and the security of society. Therefore, it is proposed to amend the law to limit the spread of terrorist or extremist ideology through religious associations in Estonia,” the government's agenda read.

Among other things, the bill will clarify the requirements for the charter of a religious association. After the bill enters into force, religious associations will be given two months to bring their charters, board members, and activities in line with the law.

“This initiative is necessary because the Orthodox Church, which is subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate, is the most important instrument of influence for Russia and the Kremlin in Estonia. This must be put to an end. We have seen Moscow using religious organizations to achieve its goals in Moldova, Ukraine and other countries, and I have no doubt that this has been done and will continue to be done in Estonia,” Läänemets told 'Actual Camera' on January 8.

The state demands that the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate sever all ties with Moscow, as Patriarch Kirill of Moscow calls Russia's aggression against Ukraine a 'holy war'. In its turn, the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate emphasizes that it does not support the war and is not responsible for the aggressive rhetoric of the Patriarch of Moscow.