Met Luke appeals to bishops over deprivation of UOC Primate’s citizenship

Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol has appealed to the bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in connection with the deprivation of citizenship of the UOC Primate, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry. He wrote about this on his Telegram channel.

“It has already been several days since His Beatitude was stripped of citizenship,” noted Metropolitan Luka. “And in response – silence. People are asking: why are those silent who so recently said they could remain silent no longer?”

The hierarch recalled that not long ago bishops had issued a statement expressing disagreement with the decisions of the Russian Orthodox Church’s Synod regarding the dismissal of Metropolitan Ilarion from his position as ruling hierarch of the Donetsk eparchy, promising to “speak out loudly.” However, when a blow was struck at the very Primate of the Church, most, according to Metropolitan Luka, chose to remain silent.

“The blow was dealt not merely to a person, but to the entire Church, to Her Chief Pastor, to Her canonical order, to Her unity. And now – silence. The signatories of the ‘loud’ statement – silent. Not a single word. Not a line. Not a confession. Silent, as if nothing happened. Silent, as if this doesn’t concern us,” the hierarch emphasized.

Metropolitan Luke noted that this silence has caused bewilderment in the hearts of the faithful: where is the promised zeal, where is the spiritual courage, where is the word in defense of the Church?

He also suggested that the reason for this silence might be fear, fatigue, hope for compromise, or external pressure. However, in his words, in times of persecution such silence is “no longer merely weakness – it is complicity.”

In conclusion, the bishop addressed the hierarchs and clergy.

“Christ is not looking for fighters with swords, but for shepherds with a conscience. Let us pray to the Lord that He will strengthen our hearts. And if our conscience is still alive – let us cry out before it is too late. Let it awaken – and let our voice be heard, even if quietly, but in God’s truth,” Metropolitan Luka urged.

As the UOJ previously reported, Metropolitan Luka called the deprivation of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry’s citizenship “a glaring injustice” and emphasized that this does not deprive us of our faith and the spiritual authority of the UOC’s pastors.

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