UOC hierarch in the U.S. accused of embezzlement of funds and harassment of seminarians

The hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the United States (Patriarchate of Constantinople), Archbishop Daniel (Zelinsky) of Pamphile, has been accused of harassing students of the denomination’s religious schools. The claims against the archbishop were made on September 28, during a hearing on the sale and demolition of the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Somerset (New Jersey), initiated by the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The video of the accusations was published on the Facebook page of subscriber Mariya Sasha.

The published video shows how Archbishop Daniel was approached by a Ukrainian-speaking woman who accused the archbishop of having students leave the seminary (apparently, we are talking about the St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary of the UOC of the USA in Somerset, New Jersey) because of harassment by the bishop. In addition, Zielinski was accused of embezzling funds that local believers donated to the Church.

«What are you doing to the seminarians? Why do seminarians run away from the seminary? You don’t know? And we found out! It’s a disgrace! They’ll sit here like kings. How long have you been living on our money!? People supported you and gave you money for seminary every time! You’re out of line! What a depraved person you are! Seminarians tell why they run away from seminary. You are immoral people! You have gone beyond all limits!«, — publicly stated the woman.

We will remind, earlier we reported that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine appointed Ivan Verbitsky to the post of Deputy Minister of culture. His duties will include the supervision of issues of protection of cultural heritage and museum business. The appointment attracted public attention due to the fact that Verbitskyy is an open homosexual and LGBT activist.