Synod of the UOC-KP threatens to ban its clergy for political campaigning and to excommunicate the faithful for corruption

On October 22, at the Synodal Hall of the Kyiv Patriarchate, the meeting of the Holy Synod was held under the chairmanship of Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine with participation of the permanent and regular members of the Synod.

On October 22, at the Synodal Hall of the Kyiv Patriarchate, the meeting of the Holy Synod was held under the chairmanship of Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine with participation of the permanent and regular members of the Synod.

The Synod participants listened to the message by Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine on elections to the Ukrainian Parliament to be held on October 26, 2014.

 The Synod have adopted the following decisions:

1. Call on the Ukrainian flock and all citizens of our country to participate in the elections to the Ukrainian Parliament on October 26, 2014, to come to the polls and make informed, responsible choices on the day of the vote.
2. Support the joint Address of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations on the occasion of the elections to the Ukrainian Parliament, signed by Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus-Ukraine as acting chairman of the council.
3. Warn once again the clergymen of the Kyiv Patriarchate from participating in the political campaigning, because it contradicts both the guidelines of the Church and Ukrainian legislation.
4. Confirm the unaltered negative attitude of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate towards participation of its clergymen in elections as candidates for Members of Parliament of Ukraine.

Exercise of authority of the MP of Ukraine, which implies the work on a regular basis, according to the Synod members, is incompatible with ministering. Therefore, the clergymen who participate in the elections to the Parliament despite the decision of the Church are subject to appropriate penalties, including prohibition of ministry under said decision of the Synod.

The Synod also discussed the issues of volunteer and charitable activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, in particular, the support of soldiers and volunteers who bravely defend Ukraine from Russian aggression.

As noted during the Synod’s session, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyiv Patriarchate had collected, transferred and used for other purposes the funds in the amount of UAH 22360000 and 1860 tons of humanitarian goods. The Synod decided to continue charitable work and encourage the faithful to engage in it.

The Synod members also spoke about intensification of their fight against corruption as sin and social evil.

The Synod members stress that corruption is a criminal phenomenon both under human law, and according to the law of God. “The criminal acquisition of profits or benefits through corruption is a sin for which the offenders are accountable to God,” states the decision of the Holy Synod. By the decision of the Synod, “the persons guilty of corruption, including those who demand and benefit from corruption, and those who provide such benefits on their own initiative or upon request, are subject to excommunication from the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ, unless they actively repent this sin and correct themselves”.

The Holy Synod of the UOC-KP decided to approve the Address of the Holy Synod to the Ukrainian people on combating the sin of corruption.