Political expert: “Unification Council” may turn into a big scandal

"Unification Council" may turn into a puff, says Alexei Yakubin

A "Unification Council" can turn into a huge dust-up and a big puff. This opinion was expressed on December 10 by political analyst Alexei Yakubin, reports Golos.Ua.

According to Yakubin, there is a conflict between the organizers of the council and representatives of the Kiev Patriarchate.

“According to the idea of Constantinople, laymen, priests, exarchs, and the President should be present at the Council,” the expert explained. “In turn, the UOC KP considers that only the hierarchs should take part in the unification council. Because in this case, the Kiev Patriarch will have a majority, and will be able to dictate his conditions regarding who will be elected as a leader of such a structure. Filaret himself has not yet withdrawn from the game. Roughly speaking, there is no de facto consensus so far – between the authorities, the UOC KP and the Patriarchate of Constantinople, which cracks it down.”

The political expert also recalled that Filaret had put forward several ultimatum demands to the organizers of the Council on the participation of the bishops, and on his own participation in the event.

“Therefore, this council can turn into a scandal and a big puff. Thus, the Council, in addition to attacks on the canonical UOC, may involve attempts from the authorities to exert pressure on the UOC KP, and not only the informational one,” concluded the expert.

As the UOJ reported, in the run-up to the “unification council,” Filaret declared his disagreement with Constantinople regarding the council’s procedure. The Greek media reported that Phanar is dissatisfied with Filaret who is trying to impose his own rules.

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