**Clashes Erupt in Western Ukraine Over Church Control Amid Shift Away from Moscow-Affiliated Clergy**
Tensions are running high in western Ukraine as hundreds of people clashed outside a cathedral in Chernivtsi, a city in the region. The incident is just the latest example of a long-running dispute over the religious affiliation of churches in Ukraine.
According to reports, a crowd gathered outside the Holy Spirit Cathedral on June 17 to assert control over the church, which had recently voted to switch allegiance from the Moscow-affiliated Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC-MP) to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU). The OCU is an autocephalous (autonomous) Ukrainian church not affiliated with Moscow.
As the situation escalated, police were deployed to prevent clashes but were eventually overwhelmed. Officers used tear gas to try and restore order, but medics reported treating around 30 people for injuries. The confrontation came after local authorities re-registered the Holy Spirit Cathedral and two other major parishes in Chernivtsi under the jurisdiction of the OCU earlier this year.
**Ukraine’s Struggle to Sever Ties with Moscow**
The dispute over church affiliation is a symptom of Ukraine’s broader struggle to sever ties with Russia. The UOC-MP, while claiming to have severed ties with Moscow, remains legally subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church, which is seen as a close ally of the Kremlin.
In August 2024, Ukrainian lawmakers passed legislation banning religious organizations with ties to Russia. The law gave such organizations nine months to cut all legal and institutional connections with Moscow. Over 100 UOC-MP clergymen have been investigated for suspected collaboration with Russian forces, with dozens facing criminal charges.
**Government View: UOC-MP as a Potential Security Threat**
The Ukrainian government and many citizens view the UOC-MP as a potential security threat. Critics argue that the Moscow-linked church claims of independence are symbolic and that it remains deeply tied to Russia’s religious and political structures.
In a statement, Chernivtsi Mayor Roman Klichuk initially welcomed the transition of the church to the OCU as a “historic day” for Ukraine’s national church, but later deleted the post from his social media page. The Moscow-linked church claims it is the victim of persecution and harassment by the Ukrainian authorities.
**International Response**
The clashes in Chernivtsi have drawn attention from international leaders, with many expressing concern about the situation. President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the G7 summit had produced concrete results for Ukraine, including increased military support, new tranches of aid using frozen Russian assets, and additional sanctions targeting the sources of Russia’s war effort.
The European Union and its allies are also ready to toughen sanctions on Russia, French President Emmanuel Macron said on the sidelines of the G7 summit. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed unwavering support for Ukraine, saying that Canada will continue to provide aid until a just peace is achieved.
**Key Takeaways**
* Clashes erupted outside a cathedral in Chernivtsi, western Ukraine, as a crowd asserted control over the church.
* The incident is part of a long-running dispute over church affiliation between Ukraine and Russia.
* The Ukrainian government views the Moscow-linked UOC-MP as a potential security threat.
* International leaders are expressing concern about the situation and pledging support for Ukraine.
