Metropolitan Luke: UOC bishops summoned to TCC for mobilization
The head of the Zaporizhzhia Eparchy explained why a priest should not take up arms.
Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol, in an interview with Oleksandr Shelest, commented on the calls for priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) to report to military recruitment centres under the pretext of data verification. According to him, this has caused concern in church circles, as, according to canon law, priests are not permitted to take up arms.
"Two days ago, one bishop called me; he was also summoned to the military recruitment centre under the pretext of updating his data," said the metropolitan, adding that this concerns not only regular clergy but also hierarchs. He emphasized that, according to church canons, priests are not allowed to participate in hunting, to kill animals, and, even more so, to take up arms for war. "A priest has no right to shed blood, as he offers a bloodless sacrifice to God," he added.
However, Metropolitan Luke noted that priests can assist in other ways, for example, as doctors or chaplains. Still, he pointed out the lack of an alternative service option for the clergy: "A Christian is obligated to defend their homeland, but the issue of alternative service has not been resolved."
As reported by the UOJ, Metropolitan Luke also discussed whether the UOC would go underground.
