From the Head of the UGCC on the 287th day of the war: The chaplain is the minister for people’s relationships
A chaplain is not only a minister of worship or someone engaged in religious propaganda (should it be in the army, a hospital, or even a school). On the contrary, he is the one who stands on the guard of humanity, education for love in various spheres of life of our society. The Father and Head of the UGCC, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, said in a daily message on the 287th day of the war.
«Acknowledging the need to introduce the institution of chaplaincy in the life of our people and state has started to recover gradually. For the first time in independent Ukraine, the law on „Military Chaplaincy Service“ approved this type of pastoral service, particularly in our army. The doors to medical chaplaincy are getting opened. The health care system comprehends today that a priest’s presence is required to cure completely and integrally, to heal the wounds of our martyred nation,» said the Patriarch inviting to ponder over the restoration of school chaplains.
«Today, our educators need special respect and support from society and the children — so the school is a friendly space for them, free from bullying, violence, and everything that can ruin a child’s soul,» His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized.
According to him, the presence of a chaplain in the army is vital so that it remains a space of people, not machines. Likewise, as in schools, the presence of a school chaplain is paramount for teachers and children so that it is possible to create a space of love.
«Now we are trying to embrace educational institutions with our chaplain ministry. We are glad that our academic chaplains are already present in many of our universities and higher education institutions. And we see how it is necessary for our students, for our youth,» said the archbishop.
He thanked all school principals, parents, teachers who welcome the clergy to schools and are open to the ministry of school and academic chaplains.
Therefore, he thanked God and everyone involved in releasing 60 Ukrainian defenders from Russian captivity.
The UGCC Department for Information
