Political scientist on the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church: “There is no need to stir up religious conflict in a country torn apart by war”

Political scientist and head of the Center for Local Self-Government and Local Initiatives “Third Sector” Andriy Zolotaryov spoke about the possible risks that the Ukrainian government is not taking into account by banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. According to the political scientist, the UOC, which consists of millions of Ukrainian citizens, is not so harmless and, under the current circumstances, may well become a protest force. He spoke about this in a comment to Strana.ua.

“The processes concerning the UOC can be accelerated or stopped, which will become another subject of ‘bargaining’ with the Russian Federation in negotiations. However, churches are still being taken away: I think the idea is to lure the masses, who have little understanding of the nuances of the church situation but still go to Easter to have their eggs and Easter cakes blessed, into churches of another jurisdiction. And some will resign themselves to it. Although it does not seem to be happening, as shown by the recent procession of UOC believers from Kamianets-Podilskyi to the Holy Dormition Pochaiv Lavra. The UOC still has millions of parishioners. The authorities are playing with fire. It is not worth inflaming religious conflict in a country torn apart by war. It could become a painful, unhealed wound, and now Yelensky (head of the DESS – Ed.) is pouring salt on it,” – insists political scientist Zolotaryov.

Earlier, we reported that the head of the OCU press service, Yevstratiy Zoria, did not hide his delight at the decision of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is affiliated with the Moscow Patriarchate. Zoria expects that in the near future, the UOC will be stripped of its registration and real estate.