The clergy and believers of the Vicariate of the UOC-KP in the USA and Canada, who convened a meeting on March 10, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, adopted an official appeal to the OCU in connection with its statement regarding the situation with diaspora parishes and the definition of Bohdan Zgoba as “the self-proclaimed secretary of the Vicariate.”

In the appeal, Filaret’s supporters in the United States recall that on February 2, 2021, ex-secretary Viktor Polyarny was relieved of his post as head of the Vicariate of the UOC-KP in the USA and Canada by the decree of the “patriarch,” and Bogdan Zgoba was appointed.

“We also recall that in connection with his dismissal archpriest Viktor Polyarny was obliged to hand over to the newly appointed Secretary of the Vicariate of the UOC of the Kyiv Patriarchate in the USA and Canada, Archpriest Bogdan Zgoba, antimensions with signatures of His Holiness Patriarch Filaret,  for the Church of St. Andrew the First-Called in Bloomingdale, Illinois. However, archpriest Victor has not yet done this.

Moreover, on February 15, 2021, archpriest Viktor Polyarny, arbitrarily and without the blessing of the ruling bishop, convened a meeting of the Vicariate of the United States and Canada, which grossly violated the 39th Rule of the Holy Apostles, which calls on elders not to do anything without the consent of the bishop,” the UOC-KP reminds.

“For all of us who live in the United States, it is strange to hear words from the former closest associates of His Holiness Patriarch Filaret that His Holiness “is using the name of the UOC-KP without permission”. We consider it senseless to say that the creator and founder of the Kyiv Patriarchate no longer has the right to appeal to his native Church.

Dear bishops, we once again bring to your attention that archpriest Bohdan Zgoba enjoys great authority among the clergy and believers in the United States and has the absolute support of the Vicariate of the United States and Canada. This means that, according to the so-called “Statement” from the OCU, it enjoys great authority among the bishops and clergy in the OCU. By the decision of His Holiness Patriarch Filaret, he was appointed Secretary of the Vicariate. And this decision is legitimate within the framework of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate. Members of other churches around the world are not obliged to accept the decisions of our church, but respecting them is a matter of education and upbringing of everyone. We urge you to stop pouring dirt on the representatives of the Vicariate, who remain under the jurisdiction of the Kyiv Patriarchate,” the UOC-KP continues to convince.

Also, an appeal from the United States reminds that “outside interference in the affairs of citizens of our country, fanning intolerance and intolerant attitudes towards other confessions and sowing religious enmity are unacceptable. We assure you that the US State Department is watching such destructive activities that harm our country and negatively affect the political situation in relations between the US and Ukraine, creating a certain tension. Therefore, in a friendly way, we advise you to stop such destructive activities.”