Mobilized UOC Priest Refuses Military Oath, Citing Priestly Vows

DNIPROPETROVSK, UKRAINE — A mobilized priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), Serhiy Shcherbyna, has refused to take the military oath of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, saying that he had already sworn an oath to the Church when he was ordained. In a statement explaining his decision, Shcherbyna cited his priestly commitment, made on October 9, 2012.

According to information shared by journalist Miroslava Berdnik on Telegram, Shcherbyna was detained by representatives of Ukraine’s Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Centers (TCC) approximately ten days ago. He is reportedly being held at a military camp in the village of Cherkaske, near Novomoskovsk in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The reports further allege that the priest has been subjected to physical abuse while in the camp.

Asked why he refused to take the military oath, Shcherbyna stated: “I, Serhiy Pavlovych Shcherbyna, a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, refuse to take the oath to the people of Ukraine, to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on the grounds that I am a priest and took the oath to the Holy Catholic Apostolic Church on October 9, 2012.”

The case comes amid continuing reports and debate concerning the mobilization of UOC clergy.

Previously, the UOJ reported that mobilized UOC priest Andriy Korinchuk died in the war.