Parliament bans Moscow-affiliated churches in Ukraine

Ukraine's parliament passed a law banning Russian-affiliated religious organizations. The law permits courts to suspend these organizations' activities, giving them nine months to sever ties with Moscow.

Aug 21, 2024 - 07:13

Parliament bans Moscow-affiliated churches in Ukraine

ukraine bans moscow-affiliated churches verkhovna rada file

On 20 August, the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, approved a second reading of the bill prohibiting the operation of religious organizations affiliated with Russia.

“The activities of religious organizations affiliated with centers of influence of a religious organization (association), whose governing center (administration) is located outside Ukraine in a state that is conducting armed aggression against Ukraine, are not allowed,” the bill reads.

The most notorious Russian-affiliated church in Ukraine is the Moscow Patriarchate’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC MP). Meanwhile, the most popular Orthodox church without Russian links is the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

The Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) has been a tool used by the Kremlin to advance its political interests and infiltrate other countries. Since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, multiple UOC MP priests were arrested for links with Russian security services. In Russian-occupied territories, most Moscow Patriarchate priests collaborate with Russian forces, while other denominations face persecution. In May, 60% of Ukrainians supported the ban of the ROC-affiliated UOC MP, while 82% didn’t trust this church.

The law, supported by 265 parliament members, permits courts to suspend the activities of these organizations if they are found to have ties with Russia, which is currently engaged in armed aggression against Ukraine. 29 MP voted against the bill, 4 abstained, 24 didn’t vote.

According to MPs Yaroslav Zheleznyak (Holos) and Petro Poroshenko (European Solidarity), the law was passed during a session of the Verkhovna Rada.

Representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO) had earlier expressed their support for this legislative initiative, noting its broad political and public backing.

Earlier, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk explained that under the new law, the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) will be banned in Ukraine. He also clarified that Ukrainian religious organizations suspected of collaborating with the ROC will be given nine months to sever their ties with Moscow.

Stefanchuk emphasized that expert evaluations will determine whether these organizations are affiliated with the ROC, and if so, their activities may be suspended, though such decisions can be appealed in court.

Related:

Moscow-backed church’s priest accused of spying for Russian military intel in Kharkiv Oblast
Ukrainian parliament to consider ban on Russian-aligned church next month
Law enforcement finds literature justifying Moscow war in Russian churches across Ukraine
SBU: Russian Orthodox Church training mercenaries to fight against Ukraine
Official says majority of Ukrainians are against Russian-affiliated church in Ukraine
Fact check for Tucker Carlson: Russia, not Ukraine, is persecuting Christians
SBU charges Moscow-linked Kyiv monastery abbot with inciting religious hatred and denying Russian aggression
Estonian Parliament designates Moscow Patriarchate as sponsor of Russian aggression

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this. We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!