The Rivne diocese of the UOC responded to local deputies' call to join the ОCU

The Diocese of Rivne of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has published a response to the appeal of the deputies of the Rivne Regional State Administration demanding to comply with the provisions of Law No. 8371 and join the OCU. The diocese is convinced that the deputies are inciting religious hatred in the region and spreading manipulations about the faith and teachings of the Church. This is reported by the official website of the diocese.

“The appeal prepared by the Rivne Regional Council to us, the clergy, monastics and laity of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, is populist, aimed at inciting sectarian strife and provocative. The Ukrainian Orthodox Church does not have a center in Russia, and this was clearly stated during the Council in Feofania on May 22, 2022. This Council emphasized the autocephaly of the UOC, as well as the absence of any administrative or legal ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. This decision confirmed the independence of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has long sought recognition of its own identity and separation from the influence of other religious centers. The Council emphasized that the UOC is independent, and all its decisions are made within the Church itself, without external interference,” — the statement reads.

The Diocese of Rivne of the UOC called on MPs not to manipulate the facts regarding the faith and doctrine of the Church and not to deceive people that the OCU is allegedly recognized by the entire Orthodox world.

“We appeal to the MPs with a request not to manipulate the facts about the church, especially when it comes to matters of faith. Faith is a personal and spiritual sphere of life of every person, and it cannot be used as an instrument of political speculation or to achieve temporary goals. In the appeal, the chairman of the regional council and the deputies call on us to abandon our church and drive us to the OCU, pointing out that the OCU is recognized by the entire Orthodox world. We would like to inform the deputies that currently only 4 out of 15 local churches recognize the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. The UOC has always called for unity and understanding, but the MPs are trying to create destruction in society and disrupt the harmonious coexistence of all faiths,” — the diocese added.

As reported, on August 26, 2024, deputies of the Rivne Regional State Administration gathered for an extraordinary session to adopt an appeal addressed to the clergy and believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the region. The text of the appeal, in particular, demands that local dioceses of the UOC “break with Moscow” and join the OCU.