DESS decides to grant deferments to clergy sent abroad

Viktor Yelensky. Photo: Radio Liberty

Ukraine’s State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) has decided to grant draft deferments to clergy assigned abroad by reserving them from mobilization. This was reported on the website irs.in.

Under Order No. N-50/04, the measure applies to clergy of religious organizations recognized as critically important who are on official trips abroad, perform religious rites or preach outside Ukraine, and are registered with a consulate.

The document, which has been registered with the Ministry of Justice, also sets out the procedure for submitting the necessary paperwork for such deferments through religious centers.

It is claimed that this will help ensure ongoing spiritual care for Ukrainian refugees.

As a reminder, DESS did not include UOC clergy on the lists for deferment from mobilization. Viacheslav Horshkov, head of the agency’s department for religious affairs, explained that this was due to the provisions of Law No. 2662-VIII on the renaming of churches whose governing center is located in the aggressor state. According to the official, in order to submit lists for deferment, the UOC must comply with the requirements of that law, which in practice means acknowledging a link with the ROC.

As the UOJ previously reported, DESS discussed the issue of clergy mobilization with UCCRO.

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