Copenhagen, Denmark – In a bold move, the National Council of Churches in Denmark has issued a critical memorandum questioning the World Council of Churches’ (WCC) disparate reactions to evolving religious dynamics amid Russia’s war on Ukraine. The Danish council’s inquiry, dated November 5, 2024, marks the first instance of a European church body openly challenging the WCC’s stance, spotlighting a significant rift within global ecclesiastical relations.
In its memorandum, the Danish council addressed a series of pointed questions to the WCC about its swift condemnation of Ukrainian religious legislation vis-a-vis its prolonged silence on Russia’s portrayal of the conflict as a “holy war.” This legislation, passed by Ukrainian authorities on August 20, 2024, as Law 8371, mandates religious organizations in Ukraine to cut ties with Moscow to avoid affiliation with what it terms the “Russian world” ideology. This ideology is described as a neo-colonial doctrine intertwined with chauvinistic and xenophobic views.
The Danish critique highlights the WCC’s immediate four-day response to Ukraine’s law versus a two-year delay in addressing comments made by Patriarch Kirill of Russia, who supported the war as a sacred duty. The Danish council’s memorandum explicitly questions the WCC’s priorities asking, “Who benefits?” from the council’s quick condemnation which stood against both the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations as well as the Ukrainian government.
The memorandum also accuses the WCC of breaching their protocol by not consulting the Conference of European Churches (CEC), despite existing agreements that call for such consultative measures. This oversight raises concerns about the procedural adherence and transparency within the WCC’s decision-making processes.
Ukraine’s contentious Law 8371 affects the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP), which is not outright banned but must demonstrate its severed ties with Russia within nine months or face potential court-ordered deregistration. If deregistered, affected congregations may continue their religious activities but will lose certain civil privileges. This includes the ability to own property, maintain bank accounts, pay official salaries, and benefit from reduced utility rates.
Religious expert Tetiana Derkatch noted that while the law primarily targets the UOC MP due to its substantial number of roughly 8,000 parishes, it doesn’t institute an outright prohibition but sets a legal framework that could lead to thousands of individual lawsuits. Dr. Sebastian Rimestad, an independent expert, described the law as “mostly symbolic” with limited effect on actual practice.
The context behind Ukraine’s legal move stems from the longstanding and complex religious interactions amid ongoing conflict. Security services in Ukraine have reported instances of UOC MP clergy endorsing Russian aggression. Cyclical worries about the integrity of religious institutions and the national security implications of their potential allegiance to foreign influence prompted this legislative approach.
Theologian Cyril Hovorun noted that some within the UOC MP view the law as a necessary catalyst urging their leadership towards a full ecclesiastical independence from Moscow. This internal perspective suggests a mixed reception within the church, balancing between canonical loyalty and national allegiance.
The unfolding discord over religious affiliations and narratives amidst Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty and Russia’s military actions shows the intricate ties between politics, national security, and religious identity. As international ecclesiastical bodies react differently to these tensions, the fabric of global church unity and cooperation continues to be tested.
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