Priests in Volgograd region were asked to campaign for the ruling party

"United Russia" party in Volgograd region involves priests in participation in the election campaign.

This was reported by father Alexey Pluzhnikov, prior of the Parish of Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Sovietsky district of Volgograd in his blog. According to the priest's record, at nine o'clock in the morning, November, 16, he received a call from the regional Administration and was invited to a meeting.

"I began to worry at once: I am still a prior of two parishes. There might by any kind of showdown: suppose somebody complained of something or some problems with lands or parcels occurred, the priest writes. - I held the church service and rushed forward. Some priests were already there. I realized that the proble was not with me personally, just all the priests were called. Deputy Chief for social development received us. She gave us a hint straight away: you see… you are so nice, you are real psychologists, so authoritative… You might hint your congregation somehow… they should vote for "United Russia".

The record in farther Alexey's blog caused a vivid reaction. Several hours later he posted a new message: "Anyone who thinks that I may be used in political struggle is dead wrong".

"I will put it plainly… Any ruling authority will do just the same. But I will not let anyone put pressure on me", father Alexey wrote adding that he did not care a bit about parties.

Volgograd Eparchy provides no comments on the scandal. The priors of other temples of Sovietsky district confirmed the fact of the meeting but denied their own presence there", "Gazeta.ru" reports.

Vice-governor of Volgograd region for interior policy Oleg Matveichev said that gathering the priests was just an initiative of several regional officials.

"Nobody put any pressure on the priests, Matveichev said. - The priest got indignant not so much over the fact of the meeting as over being warned only three hours before, so he thought something serious happened".

This year Russian Orthodox Church repeatedly declared that the priests should not be involved in politics. Still in May Patriarch Kirill said that the church would not support any of the parties during State Duma election.

Andrey Buzin, Head of election monitoring department of association "Golos" ("Vote") remarked that the organization had received information about Orthodox priests who dealt with election campaigning.

"Such activities are prohibited to them. As for the advice to take part in the election, this is not an evident violation of the law, still the church is independent and should not take part in secular life", "Commersant" quotes Buzin.