Yelensky on UOC bishops: “We don’t exempt people like that”
Viktor Yelensky. Photo: Ukrinform
The DESS head Viktor Yelensky stated at the Ukrinform press conference that his agency had received requests for deferment from UOC clergy but rejected them.“We do not grant deferment to such people,” Yelensky said, referring to one hierarch who received a deferment as an employee in a non-church field.
At the same time, he acknowledged that "a clergyman cannot take up arms, if he commits even unintentional killing, he must be defrocked from the priesthood."
The official also reported that Ukraine had received remarks from foreign religious centers, particularly from the US episcopal conference, that mobilizing priests is unacceptable. Nevertheless, this had no impact on the actions of Ukrainian authorities.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Congresswoman Luna declared the mobilization of UOC priests illegal.
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