MEP: Clergy persecution in Chernivtsi is a violation of the Romanian minority’s rights

Romanian Member of the European Parliament Luis Lazarus condemned the actions of radicals against the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Chernivtsi, emphasizing that the attacks targeted representatives of the Romanian minority. He expressed his position on June 18, 2025, during a session of the European Parliament. A video of his speech was published on his Facebook page.

Speaking to his fellow lawmakers, Lazarus noted that the victims of the violence were Orthodox priests of Romanian origin. He also recalled previous incidents of persecution, particularly the attack on Metropolitan Longin and his ongoing prosecution, which he described as fabricated.

“Yesterday, in Chernivtsi, Orthodox priests from the Romanian community were beaten. Such incidents are not new: last year, Metropolitan Longin was attacked, and he is still being persecuted on trumped-up charges. Romanians in Ukraine face constant oppression,” the MEP said.

He pointed out that while Ukraine claims to be moving toward EU membership, it continues, in his words, to violate fundamental human rights.

“We keep talking about LGBT minorities but remain silent about an important minority like the Romanian one — over half a million people from Ukraine,” Lazarus stressed.

It should also be recalled that after the incident at the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi — during which UOC priests were brutally assaulted by supporters of the OCU — the head of the OCU in the Chernivtsi region, Theognost Bodoryak, issued a statement addressed to the clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In his message, he urged UOC members “to turn their lives to God” and “remove the veil from their spiritual eyes.” According to Bodoryak, he bears “pastoral responsibility for the development of the local Orthodox Church in Bukovina and for the spiritual growth and benefit of every Orthodox believer.” He also expressed his intention to bring the initiated process to completion: “the path begun by the faithful and society will be fulfilled, and prayer in the main shrine of Orthodox Bukovinians will be offered within the OCU.”