OCU and VR head agree to jointly "improve" chaplaincy law

Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine. Photo: Wikipedia

The head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk met with the head of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the department for external relations of the UGCC Oleksa Petriv, "archbishop" of the Nizhyn and Chernihiv of the OCU Eustratiy Zoria and the representative of the forum "Transformation of Ukraine" Mikhail Khariy on the chaplaincy, reports the press service of the Verkhovna Rada.

Ruslan Stefanchuk promised that the law on military chaplains would still be finalized.

“You know that I am not a supporter of laws being adopted for the sake of a tick. I adhere to the following principle: everything that is adopted by the Parliament must be properly implemented and serve for the good of the Ukrainian people. We have finally passed the Military Chaplaincy Service Act. However, the work does not end there. Further, we will improve the proposed concept, monitor the implementation of the law, and make the necessary amendments. After all, what we do is really important for people,” said Ruslan Stefanchuk.

In turn, representatives of the UGCC and OCU assured Stefanchuk of their determination for various types of cooperation.

Earlier, the Legal Department of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church said that the new law on military chaplaincy does not contain restrictions on the activities of the UOC, but “curveballs” are possible.

The UOJ reported how the Uniates and schismatics pursue their expansion in the Ukrainian army.

Read also

Orthodox and Catholic bishops make joint visit to Mount Athos

The head of the Phanar blessed a joint pilgrimage to Mount Athos by Roman Catholic and Orthodox bishops.

UOC Kryvyi Rih Eparchy marks 30th anniversary

Metropolitan Yefrem led the anniversary Divine Liturgy in Kryvyi Rih.

Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”

The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”

Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl

UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.

Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom

The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.

Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million

Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.