The CDC Criticizes the Activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in Africa

The Ukrainian Center for Counteracting Disinformation (CDC) is concerned about the active expansion of the Russian Orthodox Church’s influence on the African continent. In the three years since the establishment of the ROC Exarchate in Africa, parishes have been opened in 30 countries, half of which were established in 2022. This information was published on the Center’s Facebook page.

Despite the fact that the actions of the ROC Exarchate in Africa are essentially unrelated to Ukraine or the Center, experts from the organization are eager to assure that the intensified activity of the Russian church in Africa is connected to the need to increase the number of allies after the start of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.

“As a powerful tool of propaganda for the ideas of the ‘Russian World,’ the ROC complements Russia’s military presence on the continent and aims to increase support for Russia’s actions on the international stage,” the CDC experts believe.

The Center’s experts also claim that the ROC spreads among African states the idea that Russia is allegedly not associated with colonialism, racism, and slavery. However, according to the CDC, this is a lie. They argue that the history of serfdom and colonial wars in the Caucasus, Asia, and Europe tells the opposite.

It is worth noting that based on the parishes established in Cameroon, the African Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church is implementing one of the most important initiatives for the region – providing unrestricted access to drinking water. The drilling of wells and installation of specialized equipment is funded by the donors of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa.