MP: Writing a demand that TCC immediately release priest with many children

TCC employees are trying to detain the lawyer of the Khust diocese secretary on March 14, 2024. Photo: Khust Eparchy

"The detention of Father Ioan Petechel, a priest of the Transcarpathian Khust Eparchy of the UOC – father of three minors, by the local RMRCC is an outrageous case of lawlessness that cannot be ignored," said MP Artem Dmytruk in his Telegram channel.

The MP emphasized that this is not the first time the RMRCC has "illegally abducted our priests, fathers of many children, pastors of hundreds and thousands of Orthodox believers."

"I am writing a parliamentary appeal demanding that RMRCC employees immediately return Father Ioan home – to his family, to his children!" Dmytruk stated, adding, "What right do you even have to conduct such purges among our clergy? Disgrace!"

Shortly after publishing the message about Fr. Ioan Petechel, the MP reported that representatives of the Khust Eparchy had contacted him. They described a similar situation involving the eparchy's secretary, Archpriest Ioan Rozman.

"Well, firstly, Father Ioan has a wife with a 2nd degree of disability, who has paralysis on the right side of her body after suffering a stroke. The priest is the only one who looks after her and cares for her," shared the MP, informing that he is writing a parliamentary appeal demanding the release of the priest on lawful grounds.

As reported by the UOJ, employees of the Khust RMRCC unlawfully detained two UOC clergy members, despite lawful grounds for exemption from military service. The Khust Eparchy issued a statement regarding such unlawful actions by the Regional Military Recruitment, Conscription and Social Support Centers.

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