MPs support the bill banning the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine

20 August, 15:30

State

MPs support the bill banning the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine - фото 1

Today, on August 20, members of the Verkhovna Rada supported Bill 8371 to ban the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine.

265 MPs voted 'for' in the second reading:

Sluha Narodu (Servant of the People) - 173
ES (European Solidarity) - 25
Batkivshchyna (Homeland) - 17
Platform for Life and Peace - 1
For the Future - 9
Holos (Voice) - 18
Dovira (Trust) - 11
Restoration of Ukraine - 0
Non-factional - 11

The law stipulates that the activities of foreign religious organizations located in a state that is recognized as having committed or is committing armed aggression against Ukraine and/or temporarily occupying a part of the territory of Ukraine, as well as those that directly or indirectly (including through public statements by leaders or other governing bodies) support armed aggression against Ukraine, are prohibited on the territory of Ukraine.

MPs support the bill banning the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine - фото 138742

As reported previously, on October 19, 2023, in the first reading, the Verkhovna Rada adopted Bill No. 8371 on the inadmissibility of the activities of religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

On July 23, 2024, a group of MPs blocked the rostrum at the plenary session, demanding that the bill be included in the agenda and considered in the second reading. The MPs' demand was not met, and the meeting was adjourned for several weeks. During this time, MPs were going to discuss a compromise solution to pass the bill.

On August 16, the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy supported the amendments to the final version of draft law 8371.

On August 17, the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO) supported a legislative initiative to ban the activities of religious organizations associated with Russia.

Tags: #VRU #Bill 8371 #ROC