Religious expert: Conflict in OCU will inevitably continue
The Synod of the OCU did not dare to point out to Filaret the difference between the expression of one’s own position and actions discrediting the Church.
The conflict between the “Honorary Patriarch” Filaret Denisenko and the “episcopate” of the OCU has not been settled and will continue. This view was expressed by Ph.D., religious scholar Alexander Sagan on his Facebook page following the meeting of the Synod of the OCU, which took place on Friday, May 24.
“The results of the Synod of the OCU in one phrase: Metropolitan Filaret remained at the Synod in a single picket (even was the only one who did not sign a number of decisions), the expert noted. “Following the Synod, His Beatitude Epiphany stressed that the essence of the conflict is the confrontation of the ex-patriarch Filaret from the whole OCU.”
According to Sagan, the development of this conflict is inevitable, since "the Synod did not dare to point out to one of the bishops the difference between expressing a personal position (disagreement) and performing actions that discredit the Church."
We recall that on May 24, 2019, the “Holy Synod” of the OCU decided to follow the Statute of its church structure in everything, but the “Honorary Patriarch” Filaret Denisenko did not put his signature under this decision. “I will carry out the decision of the Synod if they do not contradict the canons and interests of the Ukrainian Church. And if they harm the Ukrainian Church, I will not do it!” said Filaret.
