Posted on 12/25/2015 1:15:24 PM PST by Mariner
MOSCOW (AP) -- A conservative priest who lost his high-level job at the Russian Orthodox Church assailed Russia's "immoral elites" Friday and predicted a national catastrophe if the country fails to allow free public discussion.
Father Vsevolod Chaplin, who headed the Moscow Patriarchate's department for cooperation between church and society, was relieved of his duties Thursday and his department was disbanded. The church's Holy Synod explained the move by citing the need to increase efficiency.
Chaplin sharply criticized Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill for failing to listen to critical voices and predicted that Kirill would be replaced soon.
Chaplin hadn't issued any public criticism of Kirill before being relieved of his duties, and in the past had staunchly defended the Patriarch against accusations of indulging in luxury.
Chaplin told a news conference Friday that Russia would face an "inevitable catastrophe" if the authorities fail to allow "live discussion and live public process."
He said that "immoral elites are hampering the nation's development," adding that "to prevent a revolution, we need to actively offer models of peaceful reforms," according to the Interfax news agency.
(Excerpt) Read more at hosted.ap.org ...
My, how times have changed.
I don’t think this is the full story here.
It's not.
He's more nationalistic and hard core than the Kremlin and the Church.
He uses terms like "Holy War" when talking about the middle east and advocates annihilation of external "threats".
He said Russia should send regular army into Ukraine and partition it.
Our smug punk president is letting the world go to shit. I never imagined that I’d root for vlad. For shame.
Good riddance. The guy is bad news.
“He’s more nationalistic and hard core than the Kremlin and the Church.”
Or he’s just more honest about what he believes.
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