People's deputy urges believers to "share churches"

On November 30, people's deputy of Ukraine Viktor Yelensky, one of the authors of anti-church bill No. 4128, called on believers of the UOC "to divide the property in a Christian way". The MP addressed the UOC faithful at a meeting against the discriminatory legislative initiatives that was held in Kiev, reports a UOJ correspondent.

"Even if not the whole community built a church, and it was granted by several benefactors, then anyway, if the community decided to change its jurisdiction, it takes the chucrh," Yelensky said.

At the same time, to allegations that bill No. 4128 was written to legitimize church raiding, the people's deputy answered that on the contrary – this legislative initiative will save religious communities from conflicts and litigation over the religious affiliation of churches.

Bill No. 4128, in fact, rudely interferes in the affairs of a religious community, violating its autonomy. He proposes to define religious affiliation on the basis of self-identification.