Sociologist explains why most Ukrainians demand a ban on the Moscow Patriarchate

28 May, 12:00

The persistent desire among Ukrainians to ban the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine is explained by the collective experiences of Ukrainians during the invasion and the less-than-dignified behavior of the clergy and higher ranks of the MP.

This opinion was expressed in a comment to "Orthodox Ukraine" by Anton Hrushetsky, Executive Director of the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.

Commenting on recent sociological research results, which show that 63% of surveyed Ukrainians believe the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) should be completely banned in Ukraine, and 83% believe that the state should intervene in the activities of the UOC-MP to some extent, Hrushetsky said: "For over two years, more than half of Ukrainians have supported the idea that the MP should be banned, viewing this Church as not being Ukrainian in its worldview. I think people are convinced by their collective experience. Observations of their priests, the experiences of friends, media reports about refusals to conduct funerals, about collaboration on occupied territories by MP hierarchs, the legitimization of the Russian army by them—I personally know how, in parish messenger chats, priests and their relatives express thoughts very far from pro-Ukrainian ones. Such an attitude towards the MP is not an externally imposed opinion; it is a consequence of activities like holding rituals in the Lavra during inventory checks."

Anton Hrushetsky also mentioned that after publishing the numbers, he was contacted by American journalists because MP's lawyer Amsterdam accused that the research was allegedly falsified. He had to explain the research figures and the religious situation in which Ukraine finds itself.

"The deep problem of modern societies is superficiality. People rely on short messages and make quick conclusions. Therefore, the situation with the MP should be communicated constantly, so it is understandable to both a congressman and an ordinary resident of Texas," said Anton Hrushetsky.

According to the survey, 83% of Ukrainians believe that the state should intervene in the activities of the UOC-MP to some extent (78% in December 2022 and 85% in May 2023). Specifically, 63% believe that this organization should be completely banned in Ukraine (54% in December 2022, 66% in May 2023). Another 20% currently support a somewhat "softer" approach that does not involve a complete ban but includes state control and supervision (24% in December 2022, 19% in May 2023).