The Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church believes that the UOC of the Moscow Patriarchate is “illegally kicked out” because of “a slanderous information campaign and the actions of radical politicians.”
Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church complained to the Pope of Rome and the UN Commissioner for Human Rights about the “illegal expulsion” of a religious community from the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. This was reported by the press service of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Cyril stressed that the prerequisite for such a decision was a “series of pressure measures” on the monks of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
“The pressure is also a months-long slanderous information campaign involving state media and TV channels, as well as radical politicians, religious and public figures, directed against the monastery – with calls for its withdrawal from the use of the community and even forcible seizure,” said the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church.
He added that the document published by the Ukrainian media on the termination of the lease agreement does not have sufficient legal justification.
“It is regrettable that during the declaration by the state leadership of Ukraine of their commitment to democratic norms, the European path of development, respect for human rights and freedoms, these rights and freedoms are trampled today in the greatest way,” the head of the Russian Orthodox Church said.
He appealed to the international community to prevent the “forced closure of the monastery”, which would violate the rights of millions of believers to freedom of religion, guaranteed in particular by the “UN Charter”.
Kirill sent an appeal to Pope Francis, Secretary General of the World Council of Churches Dr. Jerry Piele, Secretary General of the Council of Europe Maria Pejcinovic-Buric, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and others.
Recall that the Ukrainian authorities announced that by March 29 the UOC-MP must leave the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. The Ministry of Culture reported that they did not renew the lease agreement with the UOC-MP due to violation of the conditions for the use of state property. From March 11, an inventory of property will be carried out on the territory of the reserve.
In Russia, a clergyman is accused of corrupting a minor child. A fifth-grader complained that the priest of the temple began to touch him in intimate places.
