“The Ministry of the Interior maintains that the amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act, which will soon enter into force, are intended to protect freedom of religion in Estonia,” Taro said. “This means that religious associations operating in Estonia must not have administrative or other subordinate relationships with religious institutions abroad that justify or support war, aggression or terrorism and pose a threat to Estonia’s security.”
According to the Minister of the Interior, responsibility for the need to impose such a restriction lies solely with Russia’s leadership, which launched a war of aggression against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, causing many casualties, and has used the Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate as an ally in justifying and supporting aggression and war. “That is precisely why we believe that the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church must end its administrative ties with the Moscow Patriarchate and Patriarch Kirill in Russia,” Taro added.
He reiterated that the Kremlin is persistently seeking to portray Estonia as a country where human rights and religious freedom are violated. “This is not true. Estonia is a country governed by the rule of law. The amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act will not ban Orthodoxy in Estonia. The state does not want to close any church buildings or monasteries,” Taro said.
The amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act will enter into force after their publication in the Riigi Teataja. The transition period from the entry into force of the law is six months. During this period, the Ministry of the Interior will communicate with all religious associations affected by the amendments and, if necessary, offer assistance and support in updating their statutes. “If a situation arises where the activities of a religious association must be terminated because of prohibited ties, this will not be decided by the minister or the ministry. Any decision on the compulsory dissolution of a religious association can be made only by a court,” Taro said.
