Pope Francis expresses disapproval towards the prohibition of Orthodox churches in Ukraine.
Pope Francis has spoken out against the dissolution of the Russian-linked Orthodox Church in Ukraine. In his Sunday message from St. Peter's Square, the Pope stated, "No Christian church should be eliminated, either directly or indirectly. Churches should not be meddled with!" Ukraine claims the ban is due to the Moscow Patriarchate backing Russia's military incursion.
The Pope addressed a vast crowd in St. Peter's Square: "Evil acts should not be justified because of prayer. If someone commits wrongdoings towards their people, they are at fault. But they cannot be considered guilty just because they have prayed." Kiev has continued to level accusations of favoritism towards Russia against the Pope. The Vatican has consistently denied these allegations.**
Within the intricate religious landscape of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church once held significant influence. Prior to 2022, it was part of the Moscow Patriarchate. However, following the commencement of the conflict, it publicly severed ties and denounced the war. Yet, Kiev alleges that it perpetuates Russia's atrocities against its own populace and disseminates Russian propaganda. The ban is estimated to impact some three million worshippers.
The European Union, expressing concern over the religious tensions, has urged both Ukraine and the Russian-linked Orthodox Church to resolve their disagreements peacefully. In response to the ban, the European Union has threatened potential economic sanctions against Russia if the rights of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are infringed upon.
