Dutch delegation on chaplaincy arrives in Lviv to share experience
A delegation on chaplaincy from the Netherlands arrived in Lviv on May 27. In Lviv, the delegation will stay for three days. During this time, the military chaplaincy experts will visit the Ukrainian Catholic University, the Lviv Spiritual Seminary of the Holy Spirit of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the Garrison Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul at the Lviv City Council. This is reported by the press service of the Ministry of Education and Science.
A series of round tables is also planned to be held with the participation of students and chaplains in different areas. According to the Dean of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of UCU, Fr. Roman Zaviysky, the experience of the chaplaincy of the Netherlands is very valuable for Ukrainian chaplains.
“We were shown how representatives of different religions and denominations are present both in the Armed Forces of the Netherlands and in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and how different chaplain's services harmoniously co-exist, how they train their chaplains, what certification they provide them with. We were also advised of the general and specific religious skills that military chaplains should master. The educational and professional level is also important here. After all, the Chaplains of the Netherlands cannot serve for some specific military purposes, they also should serve the general public. We will talk about this experience,” said Fr. Roman Zaviysky, Dean of the Philosophical and Theological Faculty of UCU.
On May 27, the first organizational meeting with the delegation from the Netherlands took place in the Patriarchal House. Among those present was Fr Andriy Zelinsky, SJ, first military captain at ATO headquarters and Deputy Head of the Department of the Military Chaplaincy of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Fr Andriy stressed that the institution of military chaplaincy is now quite young in our country, but it is extremely relevant.
In turn, representatives of the delegation were interested in the confessions in Ukraine and how Protestants are practicing chaplaincy in the eastern territories of the state. Foreign guests are preparing papers on topical issues of chaplaincy, in particular, post-traumatic stress disorder.
The delegation includes representatives of the Protestant Theological University (Amsterdam), Ministry of Defense of the Netherlands, the Tilburg School of Catholic Theology and other relevant structures.
PROGRAM OF VISIT
May 28, 2019
9:00 - 12:00 - Meeting at the Hetman Petro Sahaidachny Academy of Ground Forces. General Petro Tkachuk, Fr. Stepan Sus, Fr. Andriy Khomyshyn, Fr. Roman Zaviysky will also participate.
14:00 - 18:00 - Visit to Garrison Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. Then a meeting with the military chaplains in the conference hall on Mickiewicz Square.
May 29, 2019
9:00 - Lviv Spiritual Seminary of the Holy Spirit, meeting with representatives of the St. George Centre
10:00 - 12:00 - Patriarchal Home – Training session for 30 military chaplains
15:00 - Lviv City Council, meeting
16:00 - 17:30 - Roundtable with representatives of Churches and Religious Organizations (Pekarska St.)
May 30, delegates will leave for Kyiv, where they will continue their work.
