UGCC communities to be deregistered since January 1, 2015, their property to be confiscated

The situation in Crimea is complicated. According to Patriarch Sviatoslav, in recent weeks the issue of confiscation of church property will be raised. Therefore, there is every reason to beware that from January 1, 2015, the UGCC communities in Crimea may be deregistered and their property will be confiscated. It was stated by the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the interview with online newspaper Censor.net.

“Many times it was said,says the UGCC hierarch, “that the UGCC and other denominations and Muslims suffer a certain pressure. Recently, the so-called Crimean government has enacted legislation according to which all churches and religious organizations must renew their registration. There are requirements that are difficult to comply with. For example, one must specify its highest body in the Russian Federation. If not, then in order to get the right to exist in Crimea, religion, one hasto undergo religious expertise in Moscow. De facto, this is law to liquidate churches that do not comply with the idea of loyalty to the existing government.” This was reported by the UGCC Information Department.