Yurash suggested that all those who want to practice Orthodoxy in Ukraine should unite with the PCU

Ambassador of Ukraine to the Vatican Andriy Yurash commented on the statements of Pope Francis, in which the pontiff criticized the law No. 8371, aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Yurash believes that Pope Francis has become a victim of Russian propaganda, and all those who wish to practice Orthodoxy in Ukraine should unite with the OCU, following the Tomos of Patriarch Bartholomew. The words of the Ambassador are reported by CREDO.

“It seems to me that the Pope was not well informed about this ban itself, because there are no prohibitions for those who pray. And there are no restrictions on the freedom to profess faith and pray in this ban. But there is a difference between someone who prays and someone who works for the aggressor. And I must say that the clergy of this Church undoubtedly worked for the aggressor. I fully agree with the Pope, who says that if someone does evil to his nation, he must be punished. And this ban applies to those who do evil to their nation,” — said the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Vatican.

Andriy Yurash added that Law No. 8371, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada, does not restrict freedom of religion, so everyone in Ukraine who wants to practice Orthodoxy can join the OCU and fulfill the conditions of the Tomos issued by Patriarch Bartholomew in 2018.

“However, nothing threatens the freedom of prayer. If someone wants to confirm their faith as Orthodox, there is already a decree of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew that an Autocephalous Church has been established in Ukraine, namely the Orthodox Church, and there are no restrictions for those who want to pray in the rite and within the Orthodox Church,” — added Andriy Yurash.

Earlier we reported that the Albanian Orthodox Church issued a statement in which it harshly criticized the Ukrainian government for passing a law banning the UOC. The AOC believes that the adoption of laws by democratic states that directly threaten religious freedom is absolutely unacceptable.