Estonian lawmakers reject another proposal to modify legislation prohibiting the Estonian Orthodox Church under the Moscow Patriarchate
In the heart of Estonia, a heated debate is unfolding within the parliament, president's office, and the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (EOCMP). The central issue: a bill aimed at curtailing the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate due to perceived security concerns.
The bill, initially met with resistance, has led to a series of events that have yet to reach their conclusion. The Constitutional Committee, a key player in these discussions, advocates for processing the law in its original form to minimise Russian influence via religious institutions. This stance comes despite concerns about potential conflicts with the constitution and the likelihood of the bill being challenged in the Supreme Court.
The bill's primary objective is to prevent churches perceived as under foreign control, particularly those with ties to Russia, from acting as agents of foreign powers. Given ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly in relation to Russia's actions in Ukraine and the wider region, this aim is understandably sensitive.
Members of the EOCMP, including the Pühtitsa Monastery, argue that legislative interference violates church autonomy and canonical law. They maintain that their ties to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) are religious and non-political, and altering them would breach church canons and monastic vows.
The head of the Constitutional Affairs Committee, Anastassia Kovalenko-Kõlvart, has not explicitly voiced her position, but the committee's support for the bill suggests she advocates for strict rules on influence activities, with concerns about security issues outweighing people's right to religious freedom.
President Alar Karis, however, has refused to sign the bill twice, citing legal and constitutional concerns. Despite the parliament's push to move the bill forward largely unchanged, its future remains uncertain, pending further judicial review.
As the debate continues, the Estonian parliament faces opposition on legal grounds and from the Orthodox faithful loyal to the Moscow Patriarchate. The outcome of this contentious issue will have significant implications for the balance between national security, religious freedom, and constitutional rights in Estonia.
[1] Source: Estonian Public Broadcasting, "Parliament votes to pass controversial church bill despite president's veto" (2022) [2] Source: ERR News, "Pühtitsa Monastery: Legislation interfering with church autonomy and canonical law" (2022)
