In the Mukachevo Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, they distanced themselves from a priest who tried to illegally take a person abroad

The press service of the Mukachevo Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church published a statement distancing itself from a clergyman who attempted to take a person out of the country in violation of the country’s laws. It is reported that last year, the priest in question was banned from serving and expelled from the staff of the Mukachevo Diocese of the UOC. The statement was published on the diocese’s Facebook page.

«In connection with the spread of information in the media about the detention by border guards of the Chop detachment of an alleged clergyman of the Mukachevo diocese of the UOC, who tried to smuggle a conscript across the border, we report the following: In 2024, this person was banned from priesthood by decree of the ruling bishop of the Mukachevo Diocese for indecent behavior. According to the order of the ruling bishop of the Mukachevo Diocese dated July 1, 2025, No. 192, he was expelled from the clergy of the Mukachevo Diocese and since then has not been a member of the clergy of the Mukachevo Diocese. On July 1, his previously issued certificate was revoked by the Diocesan Administration and is no longer valid. He will be held accountable for his offense in accordance with applicable law,» — the statement said.

It should be noted that a scandal erupted the day before in connection with the fact that an unnamed clergyman, who turned out to be a former cleric of the Mukachevo Diocese of the UOC, attempted to illegally take a Ukrainian citizen abroad. The media reported that the priest, while providing services for illegal border crossing, demanded a monetary reward of $10,000 from the “passenger.”