“The Church is Critical Infrastructure Ensuring the Ability of the People to Fight and Survive”: Head of the UGCC in an Interview with Ukrinform
If, under the pretext of mobilization, we force parishes to close, eliminate humanitarian centers, and diminish the humanitarian mission of social service, we will inflict heavy damage on society. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the UGCC, stated this in an interview with Ukrinform.
According to the Primate, all the churches in Ukraine are unanimous in the conviction that defending one’s homeland is not only a right but also a sacred duty. Moreover, each church is ready to stand by the Ukrainian military, recognizing the need to provide spiritual care for them.
“Military chaplaincy should not be considered in the context of mobilization since it is our duty,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
However, in the context of mobilization, clergymen are not always seen as potential chaplains. This jeopardizes the fulfillment of their direct duties—spiritual care of the faithful and ensuring the work of church institutions.
“How do we ensure during the war not only our military but also the civilian population?” the Head of the Church rhetorically asks. “If, under the pretext of mobilization, we force parishes to close, eliminate humanitarian centers, and reduce the humanitarian mission of social service, we will inflict heavy damage on society.”
His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that the Churches belong to the critical infrastructure that ensures the ability of the Ukrainian people to fight and survive in wartime: “The Church is a source of stability; without the presence and proper mission of the Churches of Ukraine, the Ukrainian victory may be under great threat.”
In an interview with Ukrinform, the Primate emphasized that the law must be obeyed, but finding answers to some difficult questions requires frank dialogue and cooperation between the Church and the state.
“I am the Head of the Church, though I came to the Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support and updated my data. My military occupational specialty is a paramedic. I served in the Soviet army as a military paramedic,” said His Beatitude Sviatoslav.
The UGCC Department for Information
