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COMMENTARY: Pope Francis’ recent intervention in the Russia-Ukraine conflict has created a new and surprising dynamic.
A dramatic Catholic disagreement has received less attention than it deserves.
On Sunday, at his weekly Angelus appointment, Pope Francis decried a new Ukrainian law concerning the Russian Orthodox Church and its presence in Ukraine. Popes don’t usually criticize national laws so specifically.
Moreover, the most senior Catholic in Ukraine, Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), has strongly endorsed the law. Thus the Holy Father and Major Archbishop Shevchuk, the “Father and Head” of the largest Eastern Rite Church in communion with Rome, have taken starkly opposing positions.
Law No. 8371, as it is known, prohibits the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine and the activities of religious structures affiliated with Moscow.
Continued below.
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A dramatic Catholic disagreement has received less attention than it deserves.
On Sunday, at his weekly Angelus appointment, Pope Francis decried a new Ukrainian law concerning the Russian Orthodox Church and its presence in Ukraine. Popes don’t usually criticize national laws so specifically.
Moreover, the most senior Catholic in Ukraine, Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), has strongly endorsed the law. Thus the Holy Father and Major Archbishop Shevchuk, the “Father and Head” of the largest Eastern Rite Church in communion with Rome, have taken starkly opposing positions.
Restricting the Russians
The Ukrainian Parliament, Verkhovna Rada, passed a law severely restricting the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. The vote, by a supermajority of 256-29, took place on Aug. 20. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the law on Aug. 24, and Pope Francis spoke vehemently against it on Aug. 25.Law No. 8371, as it is known, prohibits the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine and the activities of religious structures affiliated with Moscow.
Continued below.
Pope Francis Sides with Moscow in Ukraine’s Clash of the Patriarchs
COMMENTARY: Pope Francis’ recent intervention in the Russia-Ukraine conflict has created a new and surprising dynamic.
