A new head for the Ukrainian Church

Moscow, February 25 (Interfax) - The Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Monday elected the locum tenens of the Kievan Metropolitan See.

"Due to the medically certified inability of Metropolitan Vladimir of Kiev and All Ukraine to fulfill his duties as head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, of which members of the Synod became personally convinced when they visited him in hospital, the Synod made a decision to elect the locum tenens of the Kievan Metropolitan See," the press service for the Information Department of the Russian Orthodox Church reported.

Metropolitan Onufry of Chernovtsy and Bukoviny was elected locum tenens of the Kievan Metropolitan See by secret voting in accordance with the charter of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

"In a phone conversation with Metropolitan Onufry after his election, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia wished him God's help in his service in this difficult time that the people of Ukraine are going through," the report says.