"We will give them another 60 days": Head of DESS speaks about the timing of the UOC ban

The head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, Viktor Yelensky, spoke about the timing of the ban on the Kyiv Metropolis of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The official claims that the State Service is ready to give the Church another 60 days if the examination finds signs of the UOC’s affiliation with the Moscow Patriarchate. During this time, according to Yelensky, the UOC will be able to convene a Local Council, at which it will proclaim a complete break with the ROC. He said this in an interview with the publication “Left Bank”.

“We are given 30 days. But theoretically, there may be cases when they may need more time. Relatively speaking, we say: ‘Leave the Russian Church’. And they say to us: “Well, you know, in order to withdraw, we need to convene a Local Council. And 30 days is not enough for this.” Then they are given 60 days. And after that, if they don’t eliminate the violations, the State Service files a lawsuit. And the goal is for the Kyiv Metropolis to cease to exist as a legal entity,” — explained Viktor Yelenskyy.

At the same time, Yelensky added that he was not sure whether the Ukrainian Orthodox Church would be able to take such a step.

Earlier, Valeriy Zub, a member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine from the Servant of the People party, explained why he did not vote for anti-church law No. 3894, which was aimed at banning the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The MP is convinced that it is inappropriate to adopt laws that will divide society, especially during the war.