Metropolitan Filaret explains why UOC Council in Feofania was legitimate
The hierarch emphasized that the Council was convened at the initiative of the clergy and laity, and its decisions were made without any external pressure.
Metropolitan Filaret of Lviv and Halych commented on the discussions around the legitimacy of the Council of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, held on May 27, 2022, in Feofania, on his Facebook page.
According to the bishop, "provocative opinions and statements" are being spread online about the allegedly non-canonical nature of the Council and its decisions, supposedly made under pressure from the authorities or special services.
"As a participant in both Councils, I want to note that the convocation of the Bishops' Council and the UOC Council was dictated by the position of the laity, clergy, and bishops of many eparchies. We, on behalf of the laity and clergy, appealed to His Beatitude Metropolitan with a request to convene these Councils," noted Metropolitan Filaret.
He clarified that the delegates to the Council were elected at eparchial meetings, which fully confirms its legality. "Those who claim that the convocation of the Council was illegitimate are deeply mistaken," emphasized the bishop.
The Metropolitan also reminded that the Bishops' Council possesses both executive and legislative power, and therefore has the authority to make decisions that change regulations and are binding for the entire UOC.
According to him, during the Councils, an atmosphere of unity and mutual respect prevailed. "During both Councils, full trust and respect were expressed to the bishops who were given the floor, and at the Local Council - to the laity and representatives of the clergy. Besides, there were participants from the clergy and laity whose opinions differed from those of their bishops," said the Metropolitan.
Bishop Filaret particularly noted the position of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, emphasizing his uncompromising stance against any external interference in Church affairs. “If there had been even the slightest influence from outsiders, Metropolitan Onuphry would never have convened the UOC Council,” he stated.
In conclusion, the metropolitan said that the decisions of the UOC Council come into effect once signed and do not require approval by subsequent Councils, as such a procedure is prescribed only for Ecumenical Councils.
It can be assumed that Metropolitan Yevlohiy's statement is related to the interview of Cherkasy Metropolitan Theodosiy, in which the latter stated that the UOC Council in Feofania was "not free".
According to him, several hierarchs were told by people in uniform: "If you don't make any decisions in Feofania when you go there, you may not return to the eparchy."
