The Jerusalem Patriarchate condemned the law that allows for the potential banning of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine

The oldest autocephalous Orthodox Church—the Jerusalem Patriarchate—has condemned the law passed in Ukraine that allows for the banning of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

This was stated in a declaration by the Patriarchate on its website.

“The Jerusalem Patriarchate, together with many of our fellow patriarchs and other church leaders, condemns the new law passed by the Ukrainian parliament on August 20, which bans worship services in Ukrainian Orthodox churches. Such a total punishment of countless faithful men and women does not contribute to unity and does not promote peace,” the statement says.

“There is no justification for turning the practice of religious beliefs into a weapon, and we must all allow those who wish to pray to do so as their conscience dictates. We urge the Ukrainian parliament to review and repeal this law for the well-being of all faithful people in Ukraine,” the Patriarchate added.

Earlier, Pope Francis, commenting on the law that makes it possible to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, called for “not banning any Christian church directly or indirectly.”

Additionally, the World Council of Churches believed that the Ukrainian authorities had no grounds to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.