UOC lawyer explains what priests who have not applied for deferment should do

Archpriest Nikita Chekman. Photo: Screenshot from the UOC lawyer's video

Ukrainian Orthodox Church lawyer Archpriest Nikita Chekman drew the attention of clergy to cases in which priests are legally entitled to a deferment from mobilization but, for one reason or another, have failed to formalize it properly.

“Cases have become more frequent in which clergy who are entitled to a deferment under the law are being mobilized because, for one reason or another, they have not properly formalized it,” the lawyer said.

According to Chekman, in such a situation, a clergyman may be mobilized on the same grounds as anyone else. Once mobilized, however, he acquires the status of a serviceman, and discharge from military service is governed by different legal provisions from those regulating the granting of deferments.

For this reason, Father Nikita urged priests not to neglect their right to a deferment and to familiarize themselves with the procedure for obtaining one in advance. “If you do not know whether you are entitled to a deferment, you can contact the hotline,” the lawyer said.

According to him, lawyers are ready to review each clergyman’s individual circumstances, determine whether there are grounds for a deferment, and provide practical recommendations on how to formalize it properly.

As the UOJ previously reported, Archpriest Nikita Chekman said that lawyers continue to provide consultations to clergy and their relatives on mobilization-related issues. The hotline dealing with the mobilization of Ukrainian Orthodox Church clergy has already received 64 inquiries from priests and members of their families.

At +38 (093) 000-84-42, clergy can receive round-the-clock consultations on conscription, military service, and the protection of their rights when dealing with representatives of Territorial Recruitment Centers (TRCs) and other government agencies.

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