Head of the UOC-KP Speaks with U.S. Government Officials on Freedom of Religion in Ukraine and EU Aspirations

On November 13, 2013, Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate (UOC-KP) had several meetings at the U.S. State Department and on Capitol Hill.

The head of the UOC-KP together with a delegation from the Kyivan Patriarchate met with Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Eric Rubin, director of the International Religious Freedom, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor U.S. Department of State Kari Johnstone, and the U.S. Helsinki Commission Co-Chairman Congressman Christopher Smith.

According to the press service of the Kyivan Patriarchate, during a conversation with the senior officials, Patriarch Filaret focused the discussion on the status freedom of religion in Ukraine, the issue of protecting Christians in countries with predominantly Muslim populations, stopping the spread of abortions and gay marriage, and the support of Ukraine's aspirations to join the European community.