Estonian Christian Orthodox Church calls for dialog amid controversial church law

Against the backdrop of the protracted confrontation over amendments to the Law on Churches and Parishes, the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (ECC) issued an official statement calling for dialog instead of confrontation. The Riigikogu has once again passed a controversial bill that President Alar Karis has already twice returned for revision due to inconsistency with the Constitution. The Church is deeply concerned that the legislative process, which directly affects its activities, is taking place without its participation.

In his address published on the church’s official website, Bishop Daniel emphasized that for almost a year neither the Ministry of the Interior nor the Riigikogu have addressed representatives of the EHCC, despite the fact that the church has become the central topic of parliamentary debates. According to him, attempts to establish a constructive dialog were unilaterally interrupted by the former head of the Ministry of the Interior. The church claims that it is systematically excluded from the discussions: for example, the bishop had to ask for a separate permission to participate in the meeting of the legal commission, and at the Festival of Opinions the discussion on «challenges to the Orthodox Church» was organized without inviting representatives of the EHCC itself.

Representatives of the authorities motivated the need for amendments by national security considerations. However, the EHPC believes that such measures, on the contrary, create additional tension and division in society. «We share the state’s security concerns,» the statement reads, «but the canonical connection with the Moscow Patriarchate does not force us to act against our country and state. The church has repeatedly declared its independence and work in strict compliance with the laws of the Republic of Estonia, noting that the current legislation already contains the necessary mechanisms to ensure security, which the president has also pointed out.

Bishop Daniel reminded that the EHPC is a religious organization officially registered in Estonia, uniting predominantly Russian-speaking population, but open to all, including Estonians and Ukrainian refugees. The highest governing body is the Council of the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church. Attempts to portray it as a conduit of outside influence are called «conscious manipulation» in the statement. The church also emphasizes that it is incorrect to compare its activities with the actions of the Moscow Patriarchate in Russia, since the statute of the ECHOC directly prescribes to act within the framework of Estonian legislation.

The EHPC expresses hope that the country’s president will maintain a principled position and will not sign the law, and expects that the final point in this matter will probably be set by the State Court. «We pray that in our difficult times, sanity and justice will prevail, and the confrontation will be replaced by dialog,» concludes Bishop Daniel.

Recall, the Estonian Parliament for the third time approved in the original version of the Act on Churches and Parishes, aimed at banning the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church. Sixty-three MPs voted in favor of adopting the document without amendments, while 15 voted against. The law will now be sent to the State Court to assess its compliance with the Constitution.