Chernivtsi RMA: We do not verify legality of assemblies on transfers to OCU
An official from the Department of Culture could not explain how parish assemblies deciding on transitions to the OCU are monitored.
On February 7, 2025, the head of the Department of Culture of the Chernivtsi Regional Administration, Olena Bodnar, stated that the regional administration, which registers the transitions of UOC religious communities to the OCU, does not verify the accuracy of the information in the submitted documents, Suspilne reports.
Olena Bodnar stated that the regional administration does not check the accuracy of the information in the documents submitted for re-registration at all. According to her, the responsibility for this lies with the chairman of the assembly where the decision to transition is made. The legality of the chairman's authority, as well as the legitimacy of the assembly itself, is also not verified.
Bodnar stated: "Our functions include the registration of new religious organizations, changes in canonical affiliation, and any modifications related to leadership changes, registration address, etc. We only register, but we do not verify."
It is noted that the state body only considers documents related to transitions to the OCU, while documents from UOC communities rejecting such transitions are not taken into account.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that parishioners in Ust-Putyla voted to remain faithful to the UOC.
