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Ministry of Defense council prepares for implementation of chaplaincy service

06.03.2015, 12:00
Ministry of Defense council prepares for implementation of chaplaincy service - фото 1
The participants discussed issues separately clerics call for military service during the mobilization, which is contrary to the view of the majority religious churches. The Council for the Pastoral Care decided to request the Ministry of Defense to free clergymen from military service in exchange of their pastoral ministry to military servicemen loyal to their confession.

The Council for the Pastoral Care has prepared proposals for the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine to introduce the chaplaincy service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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The meeting held on March 5, 2015 at the Central House of Officers in Kyiv was dedicated to this matter, reports theInstitute of Religious Freedom.

Head of the Department forSocial and Humanitarian Policy Vitaliy Yakymchuk told the representatives of churches about some aspects of the approved provisions concerning military clergymen (chaplains) in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

It is expected that a specialized chaplaincy agency will be set up under the Ministry of Defense, which will include about 10 experts.

Secretary of the Council for Pastoral Care Fr. Lubomyr Yavorskyy (UGCC) commented on the need to establish cooperation between the Council and this agency. In particular, it was deemed important to hold preliminary consultations with representatives of the Ministry regarding the appointment of heads of chaplaincy service at central and territorial level, which should meet the highest ethical standards and understand the essence of chaplains’spiritual ministry.

Council members discussed the possible structure Council- editor service that will be formed with representatives of the military command and the priests, chaplains. Representatives of Churches established a working group to develop a model employment contract with the military priest (chaplain) and a model agreement on cooperation between the Ministry of Defense and religious organizations on the religious care of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The participants discussed issues separately clerics call for military service during the mobilization, which is contrary to the view of the majority religious churches. The Council for the Pastoral Care decided to request the Ministry of Defense to free clergymen from military service in exchange of their pastoral ministry to military servicemen loyal to their confession.