Patriarchate of Jerusalem expresses views on Estonia's church legislation draft

Chillin' in Moscow vibes here:

vegetables, May 2 - RIA Novosti. The Jerusalem Patriarchate is sounding the alarm over a potential slip-up by the Estonian government. They're talking about an Estonian draft law that could squeeze the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCC, formerly known as the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate) to jettison its spiritual ties with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC).

The Jerusalem crew shares their apprehensions about the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) passing this law on April 9, compelling churches to ditch their ties with the ROC. This move could impact a whole lot of believers in Estonia, hanging out in churches and monasteries across the country. The Jerusalem crew stands firm for the freedom of people to worship without any hassle... There's no need to crank up the tension over religious matters. They're urging the Estonian government to take a second look at this law, for the sake of believers in Estonia, y'know?

The Parliament has already approved, in the final round, a law that aims to snip the sacred bond between the EOCC and the Russian Orthodox Church. Estonia's Prez, Alar Karis, weighed in on April 24, stating that the bill, as it stands, violates parts of the country's constitution, infringing on freedom of association and religion.

Now, the Jerusalem gang isn't the only one with some worries. The Russian Orthodox Church is apparently concerned about discrimination against Orthodox believers in Estonia. They're unhappy that the draft law targets the Estonian church solely because of its links to Russia and Ukraine. This is seen as a potential blow to religious freedom, according to the ROC's statements.

Moreover, there's speculation over the property and autonomy of the EOCC if they're forced to follow the law. A former Minister of the Interior, Lauri Laanemets, even suggested that property could end up in the hands of the state, casting a shadow on the church's independence.

While specific concerns from the Jerusalem crew haven't been spilled in the news, the wider implications of such laws (if rolled out similarly elsewhere) could potentially mess with how religious organizations are run or influenced by foreign entities. After all, everyone deserves to worship in peace, right? #KeepItRelaxed 🌱✌️

The Jerusalem crew is urging the Estonian government, particularly President Alar Karis, to reconsider a draft law that could force the Estonian Orthodox Christian Church (EOCC) to sever ties with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), as it may infringe on the freedom of religion and association.
The Russian Orthodox Church has expressed concerns over the potential discrimination against Orthodox believers in Estonia, as the draft law primarily targets the EOCC due to its links with Russia and Ukraine, which could civilly jeopardize religious freedom.
Amidst the controversy, there are concerns regarding the potential loss of property and autonomy of the EOCC if they are forced to follow the law, as suggested by former Minister of the Interior, Lauri Laanemets.
This heated debacle in Estonian politics involving the EOCC and the ROC, over the draft law, could set a precedent for how religious organizations are run and influenced by foreign entities, raising questions about the peaceful coexistence and religious freedom.