I do not see incitement of religious hatred - German theologian on the case against the hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Thomas Bremer, a professor of Catholic theology at the University of Münster, commented on the criminal case against Metropolitan Yevlogy (Hutchenko) of Sumy and Akhtyrka that was launched over the bishop’s sermons published in the media. The theologian is convinced that the metropolitan did not say anything that was not voiced by representatives of other Local Churches. About it reports the official website of the Sumy diocese of the UOC.

«The fact that someone does not recognize a Christian organization different from his own as the Church is a frequent phenomenon. The Catholic Church does not recognize Protestants as a «Church.» The official formulation is always that they are «ecclesial communities.» The OCU denies the legitimacy and canonicity of the UOC and its representatives, and does not call the UOC a «Church» (except that it uses the abbreviation «UOC»), but calls it a «structure» or a «religious association». All this is a natural consequence of the normative use of the word «Church», — Bremer noted.

The theologian is convinced that the Metropolitan’s words are part of an absolutely natural discussion that takes place not only in religious, but also in political and any other environment, so such statements cannot be a reason for criminal prosecution.

«The positions expressed by Metropolitan Evlogy in his sermon are shared by many other people. They represent one point of view (out of two or more possible) that is widely shared in theological and ecclesiastical circles. People who have a different view will certainly disagree with them, but that’s the way it is in any scientific, political, or other public discourse. No discourse would be possible if it were forbidden to express a different point of view. There is a category of statements that can incite religious hatred, but Metropolitan Yevlogy’s statements do not fall into this category», — the theologian said.

We will remind, earlier we reported that on February 27, 2024 Metropolitan of Sumy and Akhtyrka Yevlogy appealed to the faithful with a request to intensify prayers. The hierarch was charged on the basis of his sermon in defense of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.