The first church-public forum "For a United Local Ukrainian Orthodox Church" took place in Volyn, in which representatives of the clergy, laity of the UOC-KP, state and public figures, representatives of political parties, scholarly and creative intelligentsia, youth and other associations took part.
On the eve, national-political forces of Volyn signed a joint appeal to the people of Volyn, Orthodox believers, priests and hierarchs of the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, in which they condemn anti-Ukrainian sentiments that were traced in the speeches of representatives of the clergy of the UOC-MP during the regional conference "Spiritual Security of Ukraine," organized on the initiative of the Party of Regions and the UOC-MP in the city of Kovel. In particular, the appeal states: "We, representatives of national-political forces, call for not supporting and condemning such actions on the part of the hierarchs of the Orthodox Church subordinate to the Moscow Patriarchate. Activity of this kind leads to a split in Ukrainian society, sows hostility and mistrust toward Christians of other Ukrainian churches, and is a threat to the unity and national security of Ukraine."
The position of the Volyn regional organization of the PP "People's Union Our Ukraine" at the forum "For a United Local Ukrainian Orthodox Church" was voiced by the deputy head of the VRO PP NSNU Volodymyr Navrotskyi. Speaking, he emphasized that the problem raised today by society has not lost its relevance over the fifteen years of Ukraine's independence, because today it is clearer than ever that the only thing that can unite the Ukrainian people is spirituality.
"There has long been no spiritual security of Ukraine. Not only Ukrainian Orthodoxy is divided, but society as well, and this is already a threat to our unity and the national security of Ukraine," noted the Our Ukraine representative. "The uncertainty in the interconfessional dialogue, which has lasted for more than a year, is to the detriment of both sides! And while they are mutually fighting each other, this niche is being occupied, unfortunately, by foreign faiths that cripple our people, and especially the youth."
"Therefore, we need to seek a way out of this confrontation and take action, and discard artificial obstacles together with linguistic and territorial separatism," noted Volodymyr Volodymyrovych.
"We need to support the President's initiative regarding holding meetings and consultations between representatives of the churches to find foundations for dialogue and possibilities for reconciliation, which ultimately will lead to the creation of a United Local Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and to proceed in this from the National Idea and the interests of the Ukrainian Nation," summarized Volodymyr Navrotskyi.