UOC hierarch calls Kyiv Regional Council's decision to change canonical subordination of communities "obvious lawlessness"

The Kyiv Regional Council has adopted a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). On March 1, 2024, the UOC Chancellor, Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanich), issued a statement calling the document “obvious lawlessness” and emphasizing its inconsistency with the Constitution of Ukraine, as well as the excess of powers of the regional government.

According to Metropolitan Anthony, the decision of the Kyiv Regional Council of February 26 recommends that district military administrations and local governments facilitate meetings on changing the canonical subordination of religious communities. In addition, the document prescribes monitoring of the use of municipal property by religious organizations, in particular in terms of preventing its use by structures whose activities are prohibited. In essence, these provisions are aimed at accelerating the transitions of communities from the UOC to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which have been actively taking place in the region in recent years.

Metropolitan Anthony emphasized that the adopted document “actually opens the way to the unimpeded seizure of monasteries and churches” and is directed against the UOC. “Under the guise of legality, actions are being taken that wound the hearts of millions of believers,” the bishop said, adding that the Church today “is walking a thorny path”, facing new restrictions.

The UOC Chancellor paid special attention to constitutional violations. He reminded that the regional council is not empowered to influence the canonical subordination of religious communities, citing Article 19 of the Constitution of Ukraine. Moreover, Metropolitan Anthony emphasized that the decision is a direct interference with freedom of religion, as Article 35 of the Constitution clearly states the separation of church and state. “The state is obliged to remain neutral, not to stimulate a change in the canonical subordination of communities and not to interfere in their internal life,” said the hierarch, emphasizing that administrative assistance in the process of changing jurisdiction contradicts the principles of the rule of law.

Metropolitan Anthony also pointed out that the issue of the so-called affiliation of the Kyiv Metropolis is being challenged in court, and any references to it as an established fact are premature. “The local government cannot substitute itself for the court,” said the bishop, insisting that in a state governed by the rule of law, such disputes should be resolved exclusively by the judiciary, not by political decisions.

Earlier, the Kyiv Regional Council adopted a decision aimed at liquidating the communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the region. This decision was made in the context of existing legislation that prohibits the activities of religious organizations affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church. Thus, the Kyiv Regional Council undertakes to facilitate the so-called transitions of UOC communities to the OCU in every possible way.