Russian Orthodox spokesman renews complaints about Ukrainian Catholic Church
September 22, 2014
The chief ecumenical representative of the Russian Orthodox Church has repeated the complaint that the Eastern-rite Ukrainian Catholic Church constitutes "a bleeding wound on the body of Christendom."
Metropolitan Hilarian, who heads the external-relations department of the Moscow patriarchate, said that Ukrainian Catholic leaders have made "extremely politicized statements" contributing to the recent unrest in Ukraine. He also charged that Ukrainian Catholics have sought to profit from the political turmoil at the expense of Ukrainian Orthodox.
Metropolitan Hilarion suggested that the Vatican should curb the activities of Eastern-rite Catholics in Ukraine, said that the Holy See and the Moscow patriarchate should together discuss "why this wound bleeds all the time and why we cannot do anything to repair and heal it."
The Moscow patriarchate has frequently complained about the activities of the Ukrainian Catholic Church-- the largest of the Eastern churches in communion with Rome-- in a country that the Russian Orthodox Church regards as its "canonical territory." These complaints have sharpened as the Moscow patriarchate has sided strongly with Russia regarding the political crisis in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Catholic Church has strongly supported the country's autonomy.
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Further information:
- Interview of Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk (Interfax)
- Moscow Patriarchate tells Vatican that Uniate "problem" should be at the centre of ecumenical dialogue (AsiaNews)
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Posted by: Gregory108 -
Sep. 23, 2014 3:50 AM ET USA
Give me a break! The Ukrainian Orthodox Church not aligned with the Moscow Church support the Ukrainian Catholics! This is not a Catholic-Orthodox fight or disagreement, but a shameless attempt by Putin and Patriarch Kiril to subjugate Ukraine and bring it back under Russian rule. That way, Kiril can be Lord of All! Kiril was just given his own, personal fighter aircraft as a present when he toured the military aircraft factory. Maybe he will use it as a Final Solution for the "Uniate Problem."
