DESS cannot say when clergy exemption starts
Illustrative photo: sud.ua
As of today, the process of reserving clergy during the mobilisation period in Ukraine is still at the stage of preparation and implementation. The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) states that the final mechanism is not yet operational, reports the Judicial and Legal Newspaper.
DESS stated that in order to develop this mechanism, it is necessary to check religious organisations for the relevant criteria.
According to officials, the mere existence of a religious organisation does not automatically mean its clergy can be reserved. A religious organisation will only be classified as critical after the department verifies its compliance with special criteria, established by a DESS order, and includes it in the relevant list.
This list is still being formed. DESS claims it is reviewing all religious organisations whose registration details were entered into the State Register no later than 26 December 2024.
It is noted that the actual reservation (exemption) of clergy will only become possible after DESS approves the list of critically important religious organisations, as well as the procedure for reserving clergy, which will specify the documents required for clergy to be granted a military deferment during mobilisation.
The list of religious organisations and the Procedure for the Reservation of Clergy will be published on the official DESS website once they are approved.
On 26 December 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers decided that religious organisations could be granted critical status for the functioning of the economy and the provision of vital services during a special period. The clergy from such organisations could be granted a deferment from military service during mobilisation. In turn, DESS published a list of criteria under which religious figures could be granted a mobilisation deferment. Later, the head DESS discussed whether priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) would be exempted from mobilisation.
As previously reported by the UOJ, the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience was also unable to answer how many communities in Ukraine are "affiliated with the ROC".
Read also
UOC Social Department in Kyiv supports 100 displaced families
In Kyiv, the UOC Social Department handed over humanitarian aid packages to 100 families of forcibly displaced persons.
Serbian authorities okay creation of university jointly with Serbian Church
The Serbian government has approved a memorandum on cooperation with the Serbian Orthodox Church for the establishment of the Saint Sava University.
DESS discusses mobilization of clergy with UCCRO
The head of DESS, Viktor Yelensky, informed representatives of religious organizations about new rules for reserving clergy from mobilization.
OCU holds synod in Lavra residence seized from Metropolitan Onufriy
The structure led by Epifaniy Dumenko used for its meeting premises where the Holy Synod of the UOC had previously convened.
Monastic tonsures performedI in Dnipro’s Tykhvin Convent
At the convent of the Dnipropetrovsk Eparchy of the UOC, three nuns received the great schema, while another novice was tonsured into the rassophore.
OCU holds religious event at grave of late UOC primate in Kyiv Lavra
Dumenko and his associates staged a prayer event at the grave of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr.