The U.S. Department of State Supported the Possible Autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church

Religious leaders and parishioners of Ukraine maypursue autocephaly in accordance with their beliefs, reports the U.S.Department of State. The Ecumenical Patriarch in Washington is called “the voice of religious tolerance”. “The United States respects the ability of Ukraine’s Orthodox religious leaders and followers to pursue autocephaly according to their beliefs” reads the Press Statement of Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert of September, 25. Thus, the U.S. took the side of supporters of autocephaly in the dispute between the Russian Orthodox Church and the two non-canonical Orthodox churches in Ukraine. The U.S. Department of State respected the Ecumenical Patriarch calling him “the voice of religious tolerance” and interfaith dialogue”. “The United States strongly supports religious freedom, including the freedom of members of groups to govern their religion according to their beliefs and practice their faiths freely without government interference”, reads the statement. Source: Delfi