OCU can become a member of the World Council of Churches, - Yelenskyy

The OCU is considering joining the World Council of Churches (WCC). According to the head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), Viktor Yelensky, the OCU can become a full member of the organization, despite the active opposition of the Russian Orthodox Church. This was reported by Interfax-Ukraine.

Yelensky emphasized that the World Council of Churches is a strategically important platform. He noted that the current situation, in which none of the Ukrainian churches is a member of this organization, limits Ukraine’s opportunities in the global interchurch dialogue. The head of the GECC expressed hope for a visit of the AUCC delegation to Ukraine to study the nature of the doctrine and activities of the OCU, which is provided for in the organization’s charter for new candidates. In addition, he expressed a wish that some Protestant and Evangelical churches of Ukraine would join the process of joining the WCC.

Earlier, Viktor Yelenskyy called for the expulsion of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) from the World Council of Churches. In his opinion, the activities of the Moscow Patriarchate «directly contradict the Christian precepts and are aimed at destroying the Ukrainian identity.»