MP Orthodox Call For Reform of Legislation on Religion

The press service of the UOC-MP reports that the metropolitan’s letter was motivated by the Ukrainian Parliament’s consideration of possible changes to “The law regarding Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organization." The UOC-MP does not support the two legislative proposals which are now under consideration. This is because they in fact fully preserve the main points of the currently active law of Ukraine which regulates religious life in the country. The UOC-MP considers that the time has come and all the conditions are present to bring to life a “new and quality conception of church-state relations.” First of all, Metropolitan Volodymyr maintains that the preamble of the law must mention “the special role of canonical Orthodoxy in the history of Ukraine.” Also, the Church should receive the status of a juridical person and, consequently, it can become a property owner.The letter also argues that religious organizations should have the right to be engaged in production, on the land or in manufacturing. The government should return all worship buildings and other church property which at present are held by the state and the state should set no prior conditions. The UOC-MP is against articles which propose that more than one religious group can share the same worship space, scheduling services at different times. The metropolitan claims “this norm only complicates relations between various confessions and faithful and leads to open protests and clashes. “ The letter comments that “to allow for a full-fledged church life, new editions and other statutes, not less important, will be necessary.” The conclusion of the letter notes that the UOC-MP is preparing its own proposals for the “the law regarding Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organization,”which will in the near future be publicized for general consideration.