Estonia: President rejects law banning Moscow Patriarchate, says its unconstitutional in current form

Estonia: President rejects law banning Moscow Patriarchate, says its unconstitutional in current form

The president believes that “The Moscow Patriarchate undermines the sovereignty and democracy of states,” but that the act, as currently worded, could do more harm than good.

President Alar Karis did not promulgate the law amending the Churches and Congregations Act.

Estonian Orthodox Church votes to permanently cut ties with Moscow

ESTONIAN legislators have voted, by 60 to 13, to amend the Church and Congregations Act, making it mandatory for the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church, which has ties with Moscow, to cut them permanently. Failure to comply could lead to a court o...

Estonian President declined to promulgate act severing Estonian Church ties with Moscow Patriarchate | Orthodox Times (en)

Estonian President Alar Karis has declined to promulgate a recently passed amendment to the Churches and Congregations Act, which aimed to formally sever the Estonian Orthodox Church’s ties with the Moscow Patriarchate. In his decision, the President cited concerns over potential violations of core constitutional principles, including the principle of proportionality (Section 11), freedom of religion (Section 40), and freedom of association (Sec…