Statement on Founding the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church

On December 15, 2018 the Unification council of the representatives from Ukrainian orthodox churches, which took place in Kiev, decided to found the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. The Libertarian Party of Ukraine welcomes the newly created religious organization. We believe that any non-government organization that unites people with similar interests, views, and beliefs, including religious, strengthens civil society in our country.

At the same time, the Libertarian Party of Ukraine condemns the intervention of certain high-ranking government officials to the matter of the church unification. The church in Ukraine is separated from the state and, while the government officials may in their spare time visit religious establishments, they must not use their work time, resources or powers for the benefit of religious organizations. Moreover, we see in such actions an attempt of raising their rating before the upcoming elections not due to their actual achievements, but by undertaking some PR activities, which contradicts to our ethical standards and the principles of Politics 2.0.