Institute for Religious Freedom warns of consequences of UOC ban
Ihor Lukyanov warned that UOC structures may lose not only church buildings but also non-religious premises under the ban.
Expert of the Institute for Religious Freedom Ihor Lukyanov told DW that in the event of the termination of a religious organization under Law 3894, all its property – except for sacred (cult) objects – may be transferred to state ownership free of charge.
Sacred property, according to him, would be handed over to other religious organizations. It should be noted that many UOC churches have adjoining buildings, where Sunday schools, refectories, utility premises, and the like are located.
Meanwhile, the DESS head, Yelensky, assured DW that allegedly nothing would change for UOC believers after the ban.
“We act in such a way that the right of every person on the territory of Ukraine to freely profess their religious convictions, to gather for this purpose individually or collectively, to use places of worship, to change or not change their religious beliefs would remain inviolable and protected,” Yelensky declared.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that DESS had filed a lawsuit against the Kyiv Metropolia of the UOC.
