“Today I don't even see the beginning of any dialog": head of UGCC speaks about unification with OCU

The head of the UGCC, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, commented on rumors of a possible merger of the religious organization he leads with the OCU. According to Shevchuk, there is no need to set any time limits on this issue, as there is not even a minimal dialogue on this topic. He said this in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.

“As for, say, unification, potential unification, I would not be so optimistic and would not set any time frame. Why? Because today I do not see even the beginning of any dialog about unification. Today, Orthodoxy in Ukraine faces slightly different challenges and priorities. We see what is happening today to the part of Orthodoxy that is still in some way in unity with the Moscow Patriarchate. Therefore, it is obvious that certain stages of formation and consolidation within the Orthodox community of Ukraine should be respected. Although, on the other hand, I think it is obvious to everyone that it is our church in Ukraine that is the leader and promoter of ecumenical dialogue,” – Shevchuk said.

The head of the UGCC added that before uniting with the OCU in all fundamental issues, the two organizations need to reach an agreement in those areas that have already been worked out at the level of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Vatican.

“We see and understand unity between different denominations in Ukraine in the context of the ecumenical efforts of universal Christianity. And today, our program of cooperation or even search for unity between the Christians of Ukraine is aimed primarily at implementing at the local level the agreements that have already been reached in the dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox churches at the universal level,” – added the head of the UGCC.

Earlier, the hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol, said that the purpose of the legislative ban on the UOC is the complete destruction of the Church. In addition, the metropolitan claims that eventually the remnants of the UOC and the OCU will be integrated into the UGCC, and Ukraine will thus become a testing ground for developing a mechanism for uniting the Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Vatican.