Rivne Diocese of the UOC Protests Against Regional Council Head’s Statements on Monastery Inspections

The Eparchial Council of the Rivne Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church addressed a statement to the head of the Rivne Regional Council, Andrii Karaush, expressing concern over his public remarks and initiatives targeting the UOC. The response was prompted by the official’s proposal to initiate inspections of monasteries and churches belonging to the diocese. The statement was published on the official website of the diocese.

The document emphasizes that such statements discredit the UOC’s large community of believers in the region and show signs of religious discrimination, which, in turn, violates the constitutional rights of Ukrainian citizens.

The council reminded that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has long operated independently, with its administrative center located in Kyiv, and is not a structural subdivision of any foreign religious organization.

It also stressed that among the UOC faithful are numerous defenders of Ukraine, their families, mothers of fallen soldiers, as well as clergy serving as military chaplains, supporting the armed forces and helping displaced persons. Therefore, any public statements questioning their dignity or civic stance are regarded as offensive not only to the Church members but to the broader Ukrainian society.

The diocese called on the head of the regional council to act with prudence, maintain interfaith peace, and respect the rights of all citizens regardless of their religious beliefs.

It should be noted that the Rivne Regional Council continues to exert administrative pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The latest move involved a request by deputies to the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience to inspect five religious organizations in the region for alleged affiliation with the Russian Orthodox Church.