“We must take into account that this is currently the largest religious structure in Ukraine,” - expert on the inadmissibility of banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Ludmyla Filipovych, PhD, professor at the Skovoroda Institute of Philosophy of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, commented on the failed attempt of the Verkhovna Rada deputies to vote in favor of the bill No 8371 aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Filipovych claims that the adoption of the law in the current version will put an end to the history of religious freedom in Ukraine. The expert said in an interview with Radio Liberty.

“The first reading — that version was very neutral and liberal. Now the bill is very focused on the ban of the UOC (MP). We failed to remove from this second bill those provisions that remind us very much of 1937. That, you know, prohibitionist strategy. To nationalize, to take away, to close… I really hope that the remnants of the Soviet era and Soviet consciousness, prohibitive requirements for religious organizations, which will put an end to the 30-year history of religious freedom that Ukraine has, will not become a reality,” — Ludmila Filipovich said.

The religious scholar claims that even if the law is passed, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will not disappear anywhere, as it is the largest religious organization in the country. She is sure that supporters of the UOC will go underground, but they will not stop practicing their religious beliefs.

“By banning the activity of this or that organization — especially in the form proposed in this law — will not be stopped. Or people will go underground, worship services will continue and (the) influence of the leaders who today head that church will not disappear…. We must take into account that this is the largest religious structure in Ukraine today. And here the bill and does not provide, and how people who identify themselves with this religion will act,” — Filipovych added.

We will remind, earlier we reported that the head of the German foundation for the organization of aid to Eastern Europe “Renovabis” pastor Professor Thomas Schwartz criticized the attempts of Ukrainian deputies to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Schwarz called on the government to apply individual responsibility if someone violates laws, rather than banning an entire denomination.