Pope Francis raises concerns over Ukraine’s church law
Pope Francis has expressed concern about potential threats to religious freedom in Ukraine. His remarks, delivered on Sunday during a meeting with pilgrims, follow the recent adoption of a law by the Ukrainian Supreme Rada that bans the Russian Orthodox Church.
This law could also be applied to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which was formerly part of the Moscow Patriarchate.
The Pontiff noted that he had considered the recently enacted legislation and has "concerns about the freedom of those who pray."
"Anyone who prays for others is always doing so for everyone. It is impossible to do harm through prayer," said Francis, according to the official Vatican website. "If someone commits a wrong against their people, they are responsible, but their prayer cannot cause harm."
"Therefore, those who wish to pray should do so in the church they consider their own. Please do not abolish, either directly or indirectly, any Christian church: Churches are inviolable," the Pontiff added.
On August 20, the Rada in Kyiv adopted a law banning the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church and paving the way for similar action against the structures associated with the Moscow Patriarchate. On Saturday, August 24, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the law.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
