The dialogue on the merger of two churches is hampered because the UOC-MP does not perceive the Kyiv Patriarchate as equal partner, but only as a seeker of the dialogue which in itself is a ‘favor’ done by the ‘canonical Church’.
This opinion was expressed by Archbishop Yevstratiy (Zorya) of Chernihiv and Nizhyn of the UOC-KP
“If you remember, a year ago the amendments were introduced into the Statute of the UOC-KP, which, among the other things, abolished a period wherein the Patriarch’s election shall be held”, he writes.
These changes, as explained by the Archbishop, were made in order to elect a candidate agreed with the UOC-MP following the negotiations on unification.
“So, I have not even heard from my brothers of the UOC-MP an idea that “we might hold negotiations with the UOC-KP first and then choose the Primate”. Our Statute envisages the desire for unity and a mechanism to implement this desire. But the majority on the brotherly side have plunged in the last round of elections”, Bishop Yevstratiy deplored.
The Archbishop said that the UOC-MP clergymen demanded that Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv left the throne of Kyiv for successful negotiations.
“But those who demand his resignation, even in their thoughts do not want to give up the post of the Primate of the UOC-MP, to which they (or their employer) have not even been elected ...,” said the hierarch.
“The main problem in the dialogue, in my opinion, is that our brothers still perceive the Kyiv Patriarchate as the seeker and junior partner in the dialogue which in itself is a favor done by the canonical Church. “So they have every reason to communicate with UAOC Metropolitan Methodius, who are their long-time ally in the fight against the Kyiv Patriarchate, but surely not with us.
We see the dialogue exclusively as communication on equal terms. If the in the 1990s we did not accept the language of ultimatums from the MP, all the more so we won’t accept it now”, said UOC-KP Archbishop Yevstratiy (Zorya).