RCC Requires Approval for Clergy Public Speech
The Russian Orthodox Church has banned priests from making public speeches without the blessing of church leadership. The ROC has also changed the text of the oath that priests swear when ordained as presbyters and deacons.
Consensus
- The Russian Orthodox Church amended the oath taken by priests and deacons upon ordination.
- Clergy must now obtain approval from church leadership before making public statements.
- The new rules apply to public appearances in media and online platforms, including social media.
- Clergy are prohibited from using internet platforms for personal gain.
- Clergy are forbidden from making statements that discredit the Church or distort its teachings.
- The changes were introduced by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.
- The changes were made to address gaps in the previous oath regarding public activities of clergy in modern conditions.
- The Commission for Church Administration, Pastoral Care, and Church Life was involved in preparing the amendments.
Points of divergence
- A controversial priest, Andrei Tkachev, recently urged parishioners not to strive to be good people, calling the idea 'nonsense.' — vm
- Since September 2022, priests have been required to recite the prayer 'On Holy Rus,' which calls for victory over those opposing Russia and the bestowal of spiritual strength to the military. — tg_echoonline_news
- Several priests faced persecution after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine due to calls for peace, refusal to read prayers for 'victory of Russian arms,' and criticism of the war in public speeches and social media. — tg_radiosvoboda
Coverage (4 sources)
- Priests required to coordinate public speeches — РИАМО
- Russian Orthodox Church banned priests from public speeches without superior approval — ЭХО / Новости
- Russian Orthodox Church forbids priests from giving public comments without leadership blessing — Вечерняя Москва
- Russian Orthodox Church made changes to the oath text that priests take when consecrated as deacon... — Радио Свобода