The Diocese of Kolomyia of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has imposed a sanction on Fr. Chaplain Mykola Medynsky for refusing to withdraw as a candidate in the elections for deputy of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council.
This is stated in the out-of-court decree of suspending, the Galician Correspondent writes.
Fr. Mykola Medynsky violated the instructions on the behavior of clergymen during election campaigns and the instructions on the behavior of a priest in a social network.
The priest, despite the canonical warning that was handed to him on October 13 and promises to withdraw his candidacy for deputy of the Regional Council on October 15, still participates in the election campaign.
Therefore, Fr. Chaplain Medynsky was sanctioned and suspended in service for three months.
"We have to inform you that starting from the moment of delivery and communication of this Decree, you are banned from performing any sacred rites, both personally and in concelebration with other clergymen, as well as to use church distinctions and to travel with Chaplain Service to the east of Ukraine are prohibited until something else is reported," the decree says.
In addition to these restrictions, Fr Chaplain Medynsky was sent "for intensive prayer" to the diocesan recollection center of St. Andrew the First-Called in the city of Yaremche (Dora).
The Diocese of Kolomyia of the UGCC has previously warned the priest about possible punishment if he does not withdraw his candidacy.
As RISU reported, according to the "Instructions on the behavior of UGCC clergy during political election campaigns", they are prohibited from either engaging in political campaigning or participating in elections.
As for Orthodox clergy, there is no such ban, but they must take the blessing of their bishop to run.