Pope Francis condemns Ukraine's ban on Russian Orthodox Church

[sl8]

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240825-pope-francis-condemns-ukraine-s-ban-on-russian-orthodox-church

Pope Francis condemns Ukraine’s ban on Russian Orthodox Church

A day after President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law banning the Russian-linked Orthodox Church in Ukraine, Pope Francis on Sunday warned that the move could infringe on the freedom of worship. Ukraine's parliament approved the ban last week following tensions with the Russian Orthodox Church, which has backed the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Issued on: 25/08/2024 - 13:58
Modified: 25/08/2024 - 14:00

1 min

By: NEWS WIRES

Pope Francis on Sunday condemned the Ukraine government's move to ban a Russia-linked branch of the country's Orthodox Church.

"Do not touch churches," the pope said in his weekly prayers, one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the ban into law.

"In thinking of the law recently adopted in Ukraine, I fear for the liberty of those who pray," the pope said.

Zelensky -- who met with the pope in June at the G7 in Italy -- signed a law Saturday banning the Russian-linked Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

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[bullimiami]

1. The Russian Church has become a propaganda arm of the Putin regime.

Just because it’s a “ church” doesn’t cut it.

[2naSalit]

2. Needs to...

Stay in his own lane. I know the pope has traditionally been involved in politics but at this point, he needs to deal with his own organization's crimes and leave the political issues to the governments and the people of the countries involved.

[twodogsbarking]

3. Go away pope. Just go away.

[Old Crank]

4. I would ban churches

That support oppression and violence.

[Jirel]

5. Put it where the sun don't shine, pope.

The Russian Orthodox Church has been (if you are being generous) a critical piece of Putin’s propaganda machine. If you are being realistic, he has turned it into a recruitment branch for terrorism against another country, and a spy and sabotage network in that country. It is a political and military tool, not just a church.

There is no issue of free practice of religion. Those who are Russian Orthodox can worship at a Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Or watch Russian Orthodox material on YouTube or through other channels.