TRC officers detain cleric of Khmelnytskyi Eparchy

Archpriest Vasyl Lisovyi. Photo: Khmelnytskyi Eparchy

TRC officers detained Archpriest Vasyl Lisovyi, a cleric of the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy, and mobilized him into the Territorial Defense Forces, the Khmelnytskyi Eparchy reports.

The priest was stopped in Khmelnytskyi on the morning of July 22 and taken to the district TRC, where he underwent a military medical examination and was assigned to a combat unit.

The eparchy called on state authorities to investigate the circumstances of his detention and ensure compliance with the Constitution of Ukraine, which guarantees freedom of religion. The statement emphasized that every priest, upon ordination, takes an oath before the Gospel that rules out taking any other oaths incompatible with his pastoral duties.

The eparchy also noted that military service involving the bearing of arms and the possible shedding of blood is fundamentally incompatible with the priesthood.

Clergy and faithful were urged to intensify their prayers for a lawful resolution of the situation and for Fr. Vasyl’s return to his flock.

As the UOJ reported, media outlets previously told the story of the mobilization of a UOC deacon with several children.

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