By Ezekiel David
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) was banned by an overwhelming majority of legislators on Tuesday, citing the church’s purported Russian connections.
This legislation, poised to reshape the religious landscape in Ukraine, stems from accusations that the UOC has supported Russia’s invasion through pro-Kremlin propaganda and even harbored spies.
While the majority of Ukrainians identify as Orthodox Christians, the faith is divided. The UOC, historically linked to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), stands in contrast to an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church recognised internationally since 2019. This division has deepened amidst the ongoing conflict, with Ukrainian leaders increasingly critical of the UOC’s stance.
‘Today we have embarked on the inevitable path of cleansing from within the Kremlin’s agent network, which has been hiding behind the mask of a religious organisation for decades,’ declared Ukrainian lawmaker Roman Lozynskyi.
The new law specifically bans the ROC from operating within Ukraine’s borders. Furthermore, a government commission will be tasked with identifying ‘affiliated’ organisations subject to the ban, with the UOC expected to be among them. Ultimately, the courts will rule on which organisations face restrictions.
Ukrainian officials are not convinced, despite the UOC’s prior declaration of its independence from the ROC, which was a strong advocate of the invasion. Tensions have been exacerbated by the numerous criminal prosecutions that have been launched against UOC clergy, some of which involve charges of treason.
Pending President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s signature, the law aims to fortify Ukraine’s ‘spiritual independence,’ ensuring ‘there will be no manipulation of the Ukrainian Church from Moscow,’ as stated by the president.
(Source: Reuters)