Romanian Orthodox structure in Ukraine remains unregistered for nearly a year

For almost a year, Ukraine’s State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) has failed to make a decision on the registration of the Religious Association of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. On August 28, 2024, lawyer Eugene Patras submitted the registration request on behalf of three communities — one in Chernivtsi region and two in Odesa region. According to Ukrainian law, DESS was required to respond by November 28, 2024, but the process has been indefinitely stalled without official explanation. This was reported by the international human rights organization Forum 18.

Head of the agency Viktor Yelensky told human rights advocates that “broad consultations” and agreement from the OCU (Orthodox Church of Ukraine) are necessary to proceed. According to him, the Romanian side’s refusal to coordinate with the OCU has caused “outrage” among local communities and is seen as a sign of disrespect toward the Ukrainian state.

Yelensky further claimed that the OCU is responsible not only for Ukrainians, but for all Orthodox Christians living in Ukraine, regardless of their ethnic background.

Forum 18 noted that this position contradicts Ukrainian legislation, which explicitly states the principle of separation between religion and the state and prohibits government interference in the internal affairs of religious organizations.

Earlier reports highlighted that recent DESS conclusions and its order to eliminate signs of affiliation between the UOC (Ukrainian Orthodox Church) and the Russian Orthodox Church are practically impossible to fulfill. Since these so-called “signs” are based on the Statute of the Russian Orthodox Church regarding the UOC, the demand effectively requires the UOC to amend the ROC’s statute — while somehow avoiding any indication of actual ties to the ROC.