25 June 2008, 17:53
Moscow, June 25, Interfax - First hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Metropolitan Hilarion regrets that Church in Russia doesn't have enough rights, Interfax-Religion has reported.
"(ROCOR - IF) clerics are not subjected to conscription almost in all Western states. Many countries spread the same law on other church ranks starting from subdeacons. We believe the Russian Orthodox Church doesn't have enough rights in modern post-Soviet society," the metropolitan has reported to the Bishops' Council on Wednesday.
According to him, the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad has its own priests in the Armed Forces along with clerics of other confessions.
"Most Western countries permit our clerics to visit the imprisoned and take care of Orthodox believers in hospitals, universities and schools including regular religious education as a state recognized school subject," Metropolitan Hilarion said.
He doesn't consider it shameful "to use such fruit of democracy in the interests of the Church for the glory of God."
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