Press Release – May 29, 2022
For Immediate Release
OPAC RENEWS CALL FOR UNIFIED UKRAINIAN CHURCH
With the decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP), under Metropolitan Onoufriy, to declare themselves independent from the Russian Orthodox Church under Patriarch Kirill (MP), the Orthodox Public Affairs Committee (OPAC) renews its call for the unification of the UOC-MP and the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), which is currently under Metropolitan Epiphanios. Unlike the Hierarchy of the Moscow Patriarchate, the bishops with Metropolitan Onoufriy are acting in the interests of their flocks.
OPAC urges an immediate dialogue between these Church administrations, and for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to take the lead in bringing about National Autocephaly for all Ukrainians, liberated from the war-mongering regime of Patriarch Kirill in Moscow. It is obvious that the clergy and the laity of each body are open to a unified Ukrainian National Church, one that is wholly autocephalous. OPAC fully supports this welcome development in Ukraine, and once again calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities and the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine. We also call for punitory measures including trials for war crimes for all who have prosecuted this unjust and horrific war.
###
Contact: info@OrthodoxPac.org