Moscow-affiliated church dismisses proposals to create one Ukrainian Orthodox church

The leader of one of the three Ukrainian Orthodox churches, Patriarch Filaret accused the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) of waving off the proposals to create an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Apostrof reports Apr. 14, according to ZIK.

“Regrettably, our relations with the UOC(MP) are cold. A year ago, we proposed to start the unification talks. We didn’t get any response, because Moscow does not allow the UOC(MP) to join the talks,” Filaret said. 

 “UOC(MP) head Metropolitan Onufry does everything to please Moscow. When I proposed to the Council of Ukrainian Churches to call on the Ukrainian to help the army, Onufry objected, saying the people should help the army but sending out the call will humiliate the armed forces. In fact, Onufry said so not to antagonize Moscow,” Filaret said.