Religious scholar accuses Dumenko of deceit
According to Chornomorets, the leadership of the OCU tries to conceal obvious problems and is unwilling to compromise or begin dialogue with the UOC.
Religious scholar and theologian Yuriy Chornomorets harshly criticized the actions of the OCU leadership in a column on the Glavcom website. He pointed out the systematic denial of problems both within and outside the organization, calling it deceit. Chernomorets stated that the OCU leadership tries to hide evident issues, such as having a significantly smaller number of parishioners compared to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).
"Physically, more people attend the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which remains within the Moscow Patriarchate. But the OCU will say anything to avoid acknowledging this fact, which is evident to any competent researcher," the expert emphasized.
He also highlighted the lack of progress in the OCU’s recognition by other Orthodox Churches, with only four granting it recognition. Chornomorets stressed that compromises are necessary on the part of the OCU, the state, and society to achieve broader acknowledgment.
"Another very important condition for achieving unity, besides honesty, is, of course, openness to dialogue," the religious scholar noted.
"Dialogue either exists, or it doesn’t. If a large number of premises are set and it’s said that dialogue will happen eventually, then that’s a refusal to engage in dialogue. And it should be stated plainly: ‘We refuse dialogue.’ The Lord sent us into the world to preach to everyone – even sending His prophet to Nineveh to preach to God’s enemies. Yet we refuse to engage with our brothers in faith. This is a very dangerous trend because, in its evangelical essence, Christianity is an open religion."
Chornomorets also expressed disappointment with promises made by Epifaniy regarding the creation of a new church, emphasizing that nothing has changed over the past 4.5 years. He also recalled the seizure of the cathedral in Cherkasy, where OCU supporters stormed the sanctuary, which UOC faithful had tried to defend.
"Although Metropolitan Epifaniy promised a new church, we don’t see it today. Given the events in Cherkasy as the most resonant case, how can one claim that we are witnessing a new church? When two jurisdictions, both born of the Moscow brood, are fighting each other, it’s a nightmare. Achieving unity requires not only honesty with oneself but also a return to Christian identity, to the openness inherent in Christian identity. This openness should exist among Orthodox Christians and beyond," Chornomorets stated.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that, according to the religious scholar, actions by the OCU leader have also been criticized by the Phanar.
