The UOC denied false media statements about the activities of the Church's priests abroad

The Western European Vicariate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church issued a statement refuting the false statements of certain media outlets that recently published information that UOC priests abroad allegedly pose a threat to Ukraine and the states in which they are engaged in missionary activities. The vicariate claims that the UOC abroad does not conduct any political activity, so the accusations made in the media are groundless. This is reported by the UOC DECR website.

“In the last days of 2024, several publications appeared in the media, as well as statements and comments by individual religious figures, which contain false and defamatory information about the activities of foreign parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In this regard, the Vicariate states the following: The activities of the UOC religious communities abroad are carried out in accordance with the decision of the UOC Council of 27.05.2022. The main purpose of the activities of the clergy and parishes of the UOC abroad is to provide spiritual care to Ukrainians who were forced to go abroad due to Russian armed aggression against Ukraine. This decision was made in view of the fact that among the refugees there are a large number of UOC believers who are full-fledged citizens of Ukraine and have the right to meet their religious needs, including abroad,” – the statement reads.

In response to the accusations that the UOC parishes abroad are allegedly run by Russia, the Vicariate noted that they encountered resistance during the formation of their activities, including from the Russian Orthodox Church, which does not correspond to the statements published in the media.

“This decision was made by the Church completely independently and was not coordinated with any foreign religious centers. Moreover, unfortunately, in our pastoral activities abroad we face opposition from some religious organizations, including the Russian Orthodox Church. At the same time, we are grateful to the Christians of other churches for their help and assistance in our pastoral activities, as well as for the true Christian attitude they show us. Foreign parishes are subordinate to the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine. The clergy who are appointed to serve in our foreign parishes are citizens of Ukraine,” – the Vicariate notes.

The Vicariate added that the foreign parishes of the UOC do not pose any threats to Ukraine or the host countries, but rather work in favor of Ukraine, forming a positive image of the country abroad.

“We emphasize that the foreign parishes of the UOC pose no danger to either Ukraine or the host countries. This is evidenced by the absence of any protest actions (which we are accused of threatening in the above-mentioned slanderous publications and comments) for the entire period of our activity abroad. Our main goal is spiritual and pastoral. We work for Ukraine and Ukrainians. Our parishes also demonstrate a consistent and effective patriotic stance, namely, maintaining contact with Ukraine, helping the Armed Forces, raising funds for compatriots in Ukraine who suffered from the war, holding spiritual, educational and cultural events, popularizing Ukrainian culture, and creating centers of Ukrainianness. We are also building good relations with the state authorities and religious organizations in the host countries, which contributes to the formation of a positive image of Ukraine abroad,” – the statement added.

It is worth noting that earlier, the head of the UGCC, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, complained about the active activities of Ukrainian Orthodox Church clergymen abroad. Shevchuk cited Germany as an example, where, as he said, “pro-Russian oligarchs” who pay for the missionary activities of the UOC among Ukrainian refugees who left the country due to the Russian-Ukrainian war have gone.