Metropolitan Kliment: His Beatitude Onufriy Has Only Ukrainian Citizenship

The Head of the Synodal Information and Education Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Kliment, confirmed that His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine holds only Ukrainian citizenship. He stated this in a comment to «BBC Ukraine,» as reported by the UOC’s Information and Education Department.

According to Metropolitan Kliment, the Primate of the UOC has repeatedly emphasized that he holds no other passports, including Russian citizenship. «His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy has explained that he possesses only a Ukrainian passport. Apart from the Ukrainian one, he holds no other passports, including that of the Russian Federation. He has already clarified that he has never applied to the authorities of any other state for a different citizenship,» Metropolitan Kliment stated.

When asked about possible further actions in connection with the publication of this information in the media, the metropolitan emphasized that all actions of the UOC will be carried out strictly within the framework of Ukrainian legislation.

It should also be recalled that the General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Pastor Jerry Pillay, has been mandated to study the situation regarding the persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). This was reported by the Chairman of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Anthony (Sevryuk) of Volokolamsk.