UGCC Leader Condemns Evasion of Military Mobilization

KYIV — Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), has called draft evasion a failure to fulfill civic duty, despite previously admitting that workers at his cathedral had been hidden from territorial recruitment centers (TRCs).

In an interview with the Ukrainian outlet Livyi Bereh on Thursday, Shevchuk was asked how the Church views draft evasion amid a shortage of personnel in the Ukrainian Armed Forces and whether avoiding mobilization constitutes a sin. Although he said he “does not want to condemn anyone a priori,” he nevertheless said the UGCC considers draft evasion a failure of civic responsibility.

“We support the Armed Forces of Ukraine and constantly explain that draft evasion is a failure to fulfill one's civic duty,” Shevchuk said. He added that the UGCC would prefer TRCs not to have to use force to mobilize Ukrainians, but that eligible men and women would instead join the Armed Forces voluntarily.

Shevchuk also said the UGCC has received quotas for chaplaincy positions in the Armed Forces, National Guard, and Border Guard, which are being distributed among its priests. According to Shevchuk, a priest “cannot take up arms” and therefore “must hold a different line of defense.”

Clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church do not have such protections.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Ukrainian officials responded to the detention of a UOC priest.