Metropolitan Onuphry appeals to UN about persecuted Ukrainian Church

Kiev, January 30, 2023

Photo: news.church.ua Photo: news.church.ua     

His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, the beloved primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, recently sent an appeal to the United Nations about his much-suffering Church.

“Since February 2022, Ukraine has been living in the conditions of a full-scale war. In this terrible hour of military disaster and extremely grave trials, we would like to ask you to give attention to the gross violation of the right to freedom of conscience and religion in Ukraine, consisting in the violation of the rights of and discrimination against the Orthodox Christians of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC),” His Beatitude writes in his appeal addressed to the UN’s Secretary General António Guterres, Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohammed, and Advisor for the Prevention of Genocide Alice Wairimu Nderitu, reports the Information-Education Department of the UOC.

The UOC primate emphasizes the independent status of the UOC and the fact that it’s the largest denomination in Ukraine, which has condemned the war from the very first days and has provided assistance to all those suffering from the war. He also notes that the UOC has always defended the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

Met. Onuphry took the opportunity to inform the UN leadership about the various anti-Church bills that threaten to ban the UOC, the personal sanctions against UOC hierarchs and clerics, and the illegal activities of local governing bodies.

He also drew attention to the various international laws on the freedom of religion, noting that, “The link between peace and human rights is inextricable. Human rights and the rule of law are a matter of universal security—as important as military potential or economic stability.”

Earlier this month, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, the head of the Russian Church’s Department for External Church Relations, also addressed the UN Security Council about the Church persecution in Ukraine, although the UOC issued a statement emphasizing that it neither asked nor authorized the ROC to speak on its behalf.

In this regard, Met. Onuphry noted in his appeal that “the issue of the situation around the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was discussed at a recent meeting of the UN Security Council, but without the UOC itself.”

“Based on the complexity of the situation, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church is ready to send its representative and convey important information to the international community firsthand,” Met. Onuphry affirmed.

His Beatitude concludes his appeal:

We hope that our voice will be heard and the citizens of Ukraine who are faithful to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) will receive the necessary support and protection at the international level. We hope for the timely adoption of all necessary measures aimed at countering incitement to religious hostility and the discrimination of believing Ukrainian citizens and religious organizations of the UOC, and the development of recommendations to be sent to the government of Ukraine regarding the protection of religious freedoms.

Following the presentation of the ROC’s Met. Anthony to the UN Security Council, the UN issued a statement expressing its concern about religious freedom in Ukraine, as it has done several times over the years.

Follow OrthoChristian on Twitter, Vkontakte, Telegram, WhatsApp, MeWe, and Gab!

1/30/2023

See also
The boomerang will return to those who seize holy sites—Metropolitan of Montenegro on Ukraine The boomerang will return to those who seize holy sites—Metropolitan of Montenegro on Ukraine The boomerang will return to those who seize holy sites—Metropolitan of Montenegro on Ukraine The boomerang will return to those who seize holy sites—Metropolitan of Montenegro on Ukraine
Met. Joanikije recounted how 15 years ago, he saw how the Ukrainian faithful defended a church that the authorities had taken the keys to in order to give them to schismatics. Even then it was clear that it would lead to problems for Ukraine, he said.
Ukraine sanctions 21 hierarchs, clerics, reps of Russian Church Ukraine sanctions 21 hierarchs, clerics, reps of Russian Church Ukraine sanctions 21 hierarchs, clerics, reps of Russian Church Ukraine sanctions 21 hierarchs, clerics, reps of Russian Church
Ukraine previously sanctioned 17 representatives of the Ukrainian and Russian Churches.
Ukrainian hierarch taking Pres. Zelensky to court for canceling citizenship of 13 bishops Ukrainian hierarch taking Pres. Zelensky to court for canceling citizenship of 13 bishops Ukrainian hierarch taking Pres. Zelensky to court for canceling citizenship of 13 bishops Ukrainian hierarch taking Pres. Zelensky to court for canceling citizenship of 13 bishops
According to the Ukrainian outlet lb.ua, the given hierarchs could also be deported, and the possibility of introducing similar measures against six more people is currently being studied.
High-ranking Russian bishop addresses UN about persecution of Ukrainian Church High-ranking Russian bishop addresses UN about persecution of Ukrainian Church High-ranking Russian bishop addresses UN about persecution of Ukrainian Church High-ranking Russian bishop addresses UN about persecution of Ukrainian Church
His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk addressed the Council remotely in a session initiated by Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia.
Metropolitan Onuphry to Ukraine: a divided kingdom cannot stand! To Russia: stop the killing! Metropolitan Onuphry to Ukraine: a divided kingdom cannot stand! To Russia: stop the killing! Metropolitan Onuphry to Ukraine: a divided kingdom cannot stand! To Russia: stop the killing! Metropolitan Onuphry to Ukraine: a divided kingdom cannot stand! To Russia: stop the killing!
In his address, the Ukrainian primate pled with both the Russian and Ukrainian authorities to end the violence and persecution against the Ukrainian people, and to allow peace to reign.
Petition to prevent ban of Ukrainian Church posted on gov’t site Petition to prevent ban of Ukrainian Church posted on gov’t site Petition to prevent ban of Ukrainian Church posted on gov’t site Petition to prevent ban of Ukrainian Church posted on gov’t site
In conclusion, the petitions calls on the state to resolve the Church issue through dialogue and the protection of constitutional rights, and not to apply any individual crimes to the UOC as a whole.
Comments
Michael Cook1/31/2023 12:14 pm
Blessed are you when men hate and revile you for My Name's sake. Rejoice and be glad for the Kingdom of heaven is yours
Augustine 1/31/2023 12:04 pm
Regrettably, the West managed to split the Church right at this moment in history, when a few patriarchs are in dire need of correction by their peers.
Here you can leave your comment on the present article, not exceeding 4000 characters. All comments will be read by the editors of OrthoChristian.Com.
Enter through FaceBook
Your name:
Your e-mail:
Enter the digits, seen on picture:

Characters remaining: 4000

Subscribe
to our mailing list

* indicates required
×