The head of the UOC KP in the USA
The change of power in Ukraine may postpone the question of Thomas “in the box”, said the head of the UOC-KP.
The Tomos of autocephaly must be obtained prior to the presidential elections in Ukraine. On this September 19, said the head of the Kyivan Patriarchate, Patriarch Filaret in his lecture, held at the Atlantic Council (Washington, USA).
“We want it to happened this year (getting Thomas – note. ed.), – said the head of the UOC-KP. – Why this year? Because Moscow hopes that next year, after the presidential elections in Ukraine, can come to be Pro-Russian President who will not be interested in creating a unified Autocephalous Church and then the question of the Tomos will be postponed in a distant box”.
In this regard, Filaret asks US to contribute to this issue.
“We know that the US government adheres to the principle of freedom and non-interference in Church Affairs. <…> The fact that it is not about the freedom of internal ecclesiastical life, and about the General political and human values and the Church in these matters plays a big role,” – said Filaret.
He also urged the United States to help bring the Church’s business in Ukraine until the end.
During his visit to the United States of America Filaret visited the Embassy of Ukraine, where he organized a solemn reception “Patriarch” of the delegation and a meeting with the leaders of the Ukrainian community of Washington. Also Filaret met with former Vice-President of the United States Joe Biden, which he was awarded the order of St. Prince Vladimir the Great of the II degree.