Bulgarian Patriarch Highlights Religious Discrimination in Ukraine to US Ambassador

Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil raised concerns about religious discrimination in Ukraine during a meeting with American Ambassador Kenneth Merten. The Patriarch highlighted the significant factual and legal constraints imposed on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, attributing these issues to discriminatory policies by certain elements within Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which aligns with the Moscow Patriarchate led by Patriarch Kirill, is facing challenges following the recent passage of a law by Ukraine's parliament banning its activities. Patriarch Daniil noted that the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, under Metropolitan Onufriy of Kyiv and All Ukraine, is subjected to various restrictions. These include limitations on religious freedom, constraints on worship practices, forcible seizures of church property, and the promotion of hostility.

Patriarch Daniil urged Ambassador Merten to ensure that the international community, especially democratic forces monitoring religious issues, addresses these troubling developments. He emphasized the need for support in upholding religious freedom, the right to worship, and the protection of church property in Ukraine.

Here is the full text of the press release of the Bulgarian Patriarchate:

"Today, in the building of the Holy Synod in Sofia, an official meeting was held between His Holiness the Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil and His Excellency the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Bulgaria, Mr. Kenneth Merten. Bishop Gerasim of Melny, Secretary General of The Holy Synod, Mr. Evgeni Todorov, an employee in the political department of the US Embassy and Mr. Dimitar Goranov, the head of the office of the Bulgarian...