US State Department pressured Local Churches to recognize the OCU, — journalist
A Ukrainian journalist spoke about attempts by American officials to pressure Bulgarian hierarchs into recognizing the OCU.
The US State Department exerted systematic pressure on Local Churches to recognize the OCU. Ukrainian journalist Mykola stated in an interview with Radio "Zoryana" that Washington directly interfered in the affairs of the Orthodox world.
According to the journalist, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Special Envoy for Religious Freedom Sam Brownback played a major role in promoting the OCU. These officials made a series of visits to countries in the region, including Bulgaria, in order to persuade the episcopate to support the OCU.
"They were there at the time, including in Bulgaria, to persuade local hierarchs and Primates of Churches to recognize the Orthodox Church of Ukraine," Mykola emphasized.
"What percentage in this case was personal initiative and what percentage was the initiative of the United States, I cannot judge, but it is obvious that there was both," he explained. At the same time, the journalist emphasized that without Washington's influence, support, and pressure on the Patriarch of Constantinople, "most likely, nothing would have happened."
As the UOJ reported, the Phanar's Archdiocese in the US attempted to disrupt meetings in defense of the UOC.
