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Government Voices Concern over Ukraine’s Ban on Orthodox Church

MTI-Hungary Today 2024.10.11.

At the end of August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law enabling the banning and expulsion of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which is recognized as canonical by Moscow, after the country’s parliament passed the legislation.

Tristan Azbej, Secretary of State for the Aid of Persecuted Christians, stated that the Hungarian government expressed its position at the Berlin religious conference after several Eastern church leaders requested the Hungarian government relay their concerns about the ban and the serious state interference in the internal affairs of the Orthodox Church in Estonia.

The Hungarian government shares the concerns of the church leaders and believes that the fact that Ukraine faces Russian aggression and is waging a defensive war cannot justify a severe infringement on religious freedom,”

Mr. Azbej said, adding that military aggression and humanitarian crises cannot justify a state banning, liquidating, or confiscating the assets of a church on its territory for political or security reasons. He emphasized that protecting religious freedom is essential for democracy and human rights. Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression does not justify infringing on religious freedom.

Fact

According to Deutsche Welle, Ukraine’s recent ban on the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate stems from its perceived ties to Russian aggression. Enacted in 2023, this law aims to limit the influence of religious institutions seen as Kremlin tools, especially during wartime. Estonia had earlier implemented similar measures against the same church. As Carnegie Endowement notes, this move faces legal challenges but is backed by 63% of Ukrainians​.

Armenian Supreme Patriarch Receives in Audience the Secretary of State
Armenian Supreme Patriarch Receives in Audience the Secretary of State

Tristan Azbej's visit to Armenia was at the Church leader’s invitation to participate in ecclesistical events.Continue reading

Via MTI; Featured Image: Pixabay


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