In Mytyntsi, OCU tries to forcibly evict many-children priest from his home

The parish and the priest near the seized St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in Mytyntsi village. Photo: Khmelnytskyi Eparchy

In the village of Mytyntsi in the Khmelnytskyi district, around 9 a.m. on August 10, a group of OCU activists, led by local government representatives and with the participation of the police, attempted to evict the family of UOC Archpriest Oleg Tsaruk from their home. According to the press service of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy, the priest had previously refused, along with his parish, to transition to the OCU.

"Father Oleg Tsaruk has four young children in his care, one of whom was seriously injured in an accident and requires constant assistance. The circumstances of Archpriest Oleg Tsaruk's prayer service are well known and have always been understood by the clergy and believers. However, after the illegal seizure of the St. Nicholas Church in Mytyntsi, they are now trying to evict the UOC parish priest, who has lived there for a long time, made major repairs to the house, and is raising four children. Archpriest Oleg Tsaruk has no other housing," the statement reads.

The diocesan press service notes that representatives of the OCU threatened the priest's family and attempted to evict them without any legal basis. "The activists did not present any legal documents or court orders to evict the Tsaruk family from their home in Mytyntsi," the eparchy adds. "This only reflects the continued use of hate speech against UOC representatives, which is strongly condemned at the international legal level."

The Khmelnytskyi Eparchy reminded that the right to housing is one of the fundamental inalienable rights according to the Constitution of Ukraine. This right is also protected by the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. However, such cases of persecution and actions aimed at expelling clergy are not isolated incidents.

"Let us recall that on June 26 of this year, the Supreme Court overturned the decision of the Kamin-Kashyrskyi District Court of the Volyn region and the ruling of the Volyn Court of Appeal to deregister and evict UOC priest Archpriest Rostislav Sizhuk and his minor children from their residence," the statement continues.

The Khmelnytskyi Eparchy of the UOC called for adherence to existing legislation and for real efforts to ensure and protect the rights and freedoms of the clergy and believers.

As the UOJ reported, in Zastavky, the OCU seized a church despite the community's decision to remain with the UOC.

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