Verkhovna Rada Сhairman signs law on military chaplaincy
Verkhovna Rada Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk. Photo: slovoidilo.ua
On December 7, 2021, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk signed the law "On the Service of the Military Chaplaincy". The statesman announced this on his Facebook page.
He noted that this is an extremely important law and "an important step towards the formation of a modern Ukrainian army, which takes care of its defenders."
“The Law ‘On the Service of the Military Chaplaincy’ was the answer to the spiritual request. By introducing the Military Chaplaincy Service, we express our support for our volunteer clergy, who are on the front lines from the first days until today. This is important for reforming our army towards NATO membership. This is important for Ukraine!" wrote Ruslan Stefanchuk.
According to the procedure, after signing the law by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, the document is sent for signature to the President of Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted the law "On the Service of Military Chaplaincy" in the second reading at a meeting on November 30, 2021. The clause, in fact, directly prohibiting the chaplains of the UOC priests, was excluded from the text.
The UOJ published explanations on this topic by the head of the Legal Department of the UOC, Archpriest Alexander Bakhov, and the deputy head of the Department for Cooperation with the Armed Forces and Other Military Formations of Ukraine, Archimandrite Luka (Vinarchuk).
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