Inaction or dictatorship: how the Rozman family turned the Khust eparchy of the UOC-MP into their own project

Exclusive. In the very in the heart of Transcarpathia, where people still yearn for sincere prayer and spiritual support, the church has become a captive of family interests. Where the word of God should be heard, private agreements, censorship, and profit are increasingly heard. History Khust Eparchy of the UOC MP (branches ROC MP named after Stalin in Western Ukraine) in recent years is not evidence of spiritual revival, and an example of how a shrine can be turned into a family business, covering ambition with the sign of faith.

The Khust diocese of the UOC-MP is increasingly finding itself in uncomfortable situations that increasingly resemble not church life, but a family arrangement under the guise of spirituality. The central figures are Ivan and Roman Rozmany, whose actions are causing outrage among believers and priests due to abuse of church status.

Deferral from mobilization: a "family benefit"?

The secretary of the diocese, the "father" type, Ivan Rozman, received a postponement from mobilization by a court decision, citing the need caring for a disabled wife. However, according to local residents, the situation looks different: his wife lives a normal life, while Ivan himself is actively involved in church and administrative affairs. This raises suspicions that evading mobilization was made possible thanks to official connections and influence.

This case is not only about personal gain, but also a deep disdain for all those men who honestly go to the front to defend the state from the Moscow invaders. The cassock is not an indulgence or a pass from responsibility to Ukraine.

Serving in the Church cannot be a shield for those who hide behind the skirt of a sick woman, drawing up false reasons for a postponement. For let those who so skillfully invent excuses look the truth in the eye: on the eastern border of Ukraine, the enemy is tearing apart, the Muscovites are brutally torturing our people (including priests) in basements and torture chambers, destroying shrines and mock the faith.

But instead of taking a sober look at reality, these “ministers” lick Moscow’s boots and continue to pray to their idol — the infamous “patriarch,” that is, Comrade Gundyaev., known as Cyril, who turned the church into an ideological department of the Kremlin junta. This is not prayer, but blasphemy. This is not loyalty to Christ, but loyalty forerunners of the antichrist in red from the blood of the Kremlin. And this entire deceitful scheme only emphasizes what we see before us: the hypocrisy of priests who have abandoned the truth of the Gospel and cover up their fear and benefit with talk of spirituality.

Son in power: Roman Rozman as a "gray cardinal"

Despite his young age, Roman is also like a "father" (dope, as parishioners say) Rozman received the role of not just an assistant to Metropolitan Mark, but a key manager of the diocese. He oversees information resources, influences administrative decisions and finances. In fact, he became the “gray cardinal” of the diocese, who decides what exactly and how will be covered for the community. In fact, we see not service to the church, but its capture - nepotism, reminiscent of feudal possession, rather than a spiritual community.

Censorship and secrecy: information monopoly

The scandal surrounding publications about Ivan Rozman's immoral lifestyle was illustrative. Materials about his relationship with a local resident named Marina appeared in the media. Instead, the church website immediately posted a refutation, threatening legal action. Moreover, the admin of the resource — which is managed by the so-called "father" Roman Rozman — blocked the possibility of commenting. Thus, instead of an honest dialogue and an attempt to explain the situation, the diocese chose the tactic of censorship. This only increased distrust, as users managed to confirm the rumors in their own comments.

Instead of repentance and transparency, there are closed doors, closed mouths, and persecution of critics. This is how a temple is not built, but a fortress of fear.

Using the church as a "shield"

Believers are increasingly saying that the structure of the diocese is being used not for the development of spiritual life, but to protect the Rozman family interests. Any criticism of them is immediately blocked, and the church's resources are turned into a tool for PR and silencing.

Questions that need answers:

• Does Ivan Rozman really have legal grounds for a postponement from mobilization?
• Why is the information policy of the diocese actually controlled by one family member?
• Has the Khust Diocese turned into a "family project" where the main thing is not faith, but power and influence?

The situation in the Khust diocese of the UOC-MP demonstrates a dangerous trend: when church positions become tools for personal gain, trust in the spiritual institution is destroyed. The Rozman family, using the authority of the church, is trying to maintain control over all processes — from administrative decisions to personal scandals.

If the leadership of the diocese does not take decisive measures, the church risks permanently losing its authority among the community, becoming a hostage to a family dictatorship.

Today, the Khust diocese stands on the brink: either it will return to serving the community, or it will finally turn into an instrument of one family. Because where faith is replaced by PR, and spirituality by privileges, disintegration inevitably comes. The story of the father and son Rozmans is a warning for the entire Church: as soon as it allows itself to be transformed into a screen for human ambitions, it loses the most important thing - the trust of people and the grace of God.

Sandor Rud for Newsky