The UGCC is jumping ship. What will the OCU do?
Shevchuk and Dumenko. Photo: OCU
The head of the Uniates, Shevchuk, actually accused Dumenko's structure of seizing churches and (most importantly), aiming to become a state church. Shortly before this, Shevchuk supported street protests against the authorities, stating that law 12414 against NABU/SAP “undermined the people's trust in the government and the trust of international partners in Ukraine.” There is no doubt that these statements are connected.
The UGCC no longer bets on Zelensky's power. Accordingly, it begins to criticize the OCU for its "state" court status under the current government, and even for violence against the UOC. And there is something to criticize. In the past week, Dumenko has held meetings with 6 (!) ambassadors and diplomats. In fact, the head of the OCU is doing the work of one of the heads of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As for the seizures of UOC churches by Dumenko's subordinates, there’s plenty of proof.
There is no doubt that the Uniates themselves would like to be in the role of the state church, but Zelensky preferred the OCU. Therefore, Shevchuk is betting on a change of power. Given the strong ties of the Uniates with "international partners" and their experience in organizing the Maidans of 2004 and 2013/2014, the signal for Zelensky and Dumenko is more than serious. It is enough to recall that, according to UGCC Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, half of the protesters on the Euromaidan were Greek Catholics.
It seems that "international partners" have made some decisions regarding the current government, and Shevchuk has become aware of it.
Dumenko and Zoria remain silent and wait. Apparently, they hope that even if the people in the power offices change, the doors to the offices themselves will remain open for them. Obviously, the UGCC also hopes for these doors.
Clearly, the lines of the Psalter "put not your trust in princes, in the sons of men" do not convince the OCU and UGCC leadership. Their priority is the struggle for the status of a "state church." In any case, it seems that neither will support Zelensky.
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