"The Holy Synod of the UOC-MP, which took place today, April 10, at the St. Panteleimon Monastery in Feofania, Kyiv, requests that deputies do not adopt bill No. 8371 on the "prohibition" of the Moscow Patriarchate.
This information was provided by the Information Department of the UOC-MP.
"The bill No. 8371 'On Amending Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Activities of Religious Organizations in Ukraine,' initiated by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, raises particular concern," the Synod's decision states.
The bishops of the UOC-MP believe that this bill is aimed not only at the liquidation of their confession but also at the violation of the fundamental right to freedom of religion guaranteed by the state to every citizen.
"The Holy Synod believes that this bill will contribute to the incitement of religious enmity and intolerance. Moreover, the bill violates the principle of the autonomy of the religious community and is aimed at interfering in the internal activities of the religious organizations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Therefore, the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church calls on the members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine not to adopt this bill," the participants of the UOC-MP Synod stated.