Protestant Churches displaced from Crimea, Pastor Kaliuzhny

The pastor of the Protestant Church “New Life” Bishop Anatoliy Kalyuzhny believes that a gradual displacement of Protestantism in Crimea is ongoing. He was quoted as saying this during the press conference in Kyiv on 15 April, by Krym.Realii website.

According to the pastor, occupational authorities exert pressure on the Protestant community and individual ministers.

"There is a great danger that if this continues, the Protestant organizations will be outlawed and won’t be able to normally function or rent premises. One can observe a very delicate method of displacement of Protestantism,” said Kalyuzhny.

He added that the Protestants of Crimea report that started the pressure is exerted on individual leaders of churches by Russian special services. A separate database of church leaders has been created, their contacts with people on the mainland territory of Ukraine are monitored.

“Protestants have always been alien to Russia, they believe them to be pro-American. And, unfortunately, it is really noticeable now,” said Kalyuzhny.

Pastor also said that at this point no Protestant community has been reregistered according to Russian law so far.