Ukrainian MPs Vote to Ban Moscow-Linked Churches

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Facts

  • Ukraine's parliament, by a margin of 265 votes to 29, passed a law banning religious groups affiliated to the Russian Orthodox Church on Tuesday — a move seen as targeting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) that was historically linked to Moscow.[1]
  • Within a month of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the UOC voted to separate itself from the Moscow Patriarchate. However, Ukrainian leaders have since accused it of aiding and abetting Russia's war effort by spreading propaganda and housing Russian spies.[2][3]
  • Last year, the Ukrainian government evicted the UOC from the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra preserve — known as the Monastery of the Caves in English — accusing UOC leadership of making unauthorized changes to the site.[4]
  • Meanwhile, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said that over 100 OUC clergy-members have come under criminal investigation for collaborating with Russia or justifying its aggression since the start of the war. It added that nearly 50 of those have been charged, with 26 receiving sentences so far.[5]
  • On Tuesday, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the latest move as a step towards strengthening Ukraine's 'spiritual independence.' He must sign the bill for it to formally pass.[3][6]
  • Meanwhile, Iryna Herashchenko, a lawmaker, described it as a 'historic vote,' and one that pertains to national security. 'Parliament approved a legislation which bans a branch of the aggressor country in Ukraine,' she wrote on Telegram.[7]

Sources: [1]Associated Press (a), [2]National Review, [3]Reuters, [4]Associated Press (b), [5]The Kyiv Independent, [6]POLITICO and [7]Al Jazeera.

Narratives

  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by POLITICO. Despite claims that is has split from Moscow, the UOC clergy have blessed Russian tanks and told Ukrainian parishioners to welcome Russia's invasion of the country. This is a historic move that will deprive the Kremlin of one of its most important spy networks.
  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by National Review. Immediately after the Russian invasion, the UOC moved to separate itself from the Moscow Patriarchate. This is a cynical move that tramples on religious freedoms, and one that needs to be reversed if Ukraine still wants to be considered a bastion of liberty against Russian aggression.

Predictions