The Verkhovna Rada voted for the Bill №4128-D on the change of religious communities subordination. This law applies not only to Christians, not only to Orthodox, but it also applies to all religious organizations.
Since 2016, when the first bill was registered, a lot of consultations were held with a very wide range of interested people – religious scholars, human rights activists, representatives of churches, and the Council of Churches (which includes all representatives of religious organizations).
The Ukrainian Parliament has in no way set itself the goal of interfering in religious life, it is unacceptable and contrary to the provisions of the declaration on human rights. However, we understand that for many decades and especially now, lately, it is very difficult for the believers who want to change their religious affiliation due to Tomos, to move this process at the state level.
After receiving Tomos on the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine, communities began to gradually move under its subordination. Such a gradual transition is right. It should be a calm and wake decision. Similarly, this gradual dynamics is due to the fact that people do not know how they can do it, what steps are needed for this, and the legislator created an algorithm for people in this law.
Consequently, according to the new law, religious communities hold a meeting where they decide to change their subordination. It is adopted by two-thirds of the votes. People who voted for will have to sign this decision, then it must be registered. This is all in accordance with the current Ukrainian legislation, and in the adopted law, this procedure and this algorithm are simply a little more detailed. Although all the main things about organizing their religious life should be reflected in the statute of a religious community. The new law does not in any way interfere in the organization of the life of a particular religious community. In addition, when the process of transition from one subordination to another begins, the community cannot do anything with the property of the community: to sell or to use as collateral. It will give peace and understanding to people that the churches or another real estate, that were built at their expense, will be left for them.
What will happen to those who did not want to make a transition? We assume that there may be a part of religious communities that do not want to change its subordination, and they have that right. They must then create a separate religious community and make an agreement on the common use of the religious building. That is old news, it is a common thing in Ukraine between different communities, and between communities and the state. We adhere to the principles of freedom of conscience and everyone has the right to their religious expression – we must ensure that all people have this right.
Also, the law protects the community from the so-called “chance comers” (Titushky, for example). The law states that only the members of this particular religious community are entitled to determine the destiny of transition and subordination. If a person is a believer of a church, then he should know the members of his religious community, isn’t he? The village community and the religious community are not identical concepts. And thus, all third-party conflict initiators are cut off.
Unfortunately, especially with the start of the election campaign, many politicians use the religious life of citizens, which is absolutely wrong. There are a lot of provocateurs, society is electrified, and we cannot turn a blind eye. It is completely wrong that the President of Ukraine uses the situation with the Tomos in order to get political dividends. No one denies the merits of Petro Poroshenko in this process, but since this issue is used as an instrument by him, it seems that we did not get rid of the Kremlin, but moved the center of church management to Bankova Street. It’s not good and it should be stopped.
The position of “Samopomich Union” faction union is to provide an opportunity and instrument to people, religious communities, for whom the church, faith in God is the purpose of life, to resolve their questions, in no way creating any conflicts. Politicians should not interfere in religious life, but should only create opportunities and step back. It is necessary to act with dignity and to give such an opportunity to the citizens of Ukraine.
Iryna Podolyak, people’s deputy of “Samopomich Union” faction, co-author of the bill