Metropolitan Luke appeals to TRCs over mobilization of UOC priests

Priests of the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy of the UOC. Photo: hramzp.ua

The hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol, published an appeal to the staff of territorial recruitment centers (TRCs) in connection with the forced mobilization of UOC clergy. The archbishop called the mobilization of the clergy not just a violation of rights but an attempt to decapitate the parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This was reported by the press service of the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy of the UOC.

"Forcing clergy to mobilize is not just a violation of their rights. It is an attempt to decapitate the parishes. By taking away a priest from the community, you deprive hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people of their connection with the Church, with God. This is depriving the people of Confession, Communion, Baptism, and last rights. It is a blow to the heart of the believer," wrote the UOC hierarch.

He emphasized that a priest takes an oath to God: "This oath is forever. According to the canons, a clergyman is forbidden to take up arms and to take a worldly oath, i.e., to swear allegiance to anyone else, even the state."

Metropolitan Luka urged TRC staff to think about the far-reaching consequences that await them in the future. The archbishop asked not to cross the line of what is permissible and not to force priests to violate their priestly vows and oaths.

"Do not cross the line beyond which the Wrath of God begins. Do not take away the people's shepherds — and do not foster a negative attitude toward the state among them," added the hierarch.

As reported by the UOJ, in the Sarny Eparchy, the TRC detained two priests.

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