UGCC plans to introduce "chaplains" in Ukrainian schools

Participants of the VIII Synod of the Ivano-Frankivsk Metropolis of the UGCC discussed the possibility of officially introducing school chaplaincy in Ukrainian educational institutions. The central theme of the meeting, which took place on March 5 in Ivano-Frankivsk, was the creation of the position of «educational chaplain» in the school staffing and the development of a legal mechanism for the work of UGCC clergy with children. This was reported by Slovo pro Slovo.

Representatives of the Kalush community, in particular Mayor Andriy Naida, supported the initiative and emphasized the importance of bringing the practice of school chaplaincy to the state level. According to Naida, the Kalush community already has a mechanism of cooperation with the UGCC, in particular, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Ivano-Frankivsk Archdiocesan Administration of the UGCC and the Kalush City Council. The community’s schools implement programs of spiritual and moral education, such as the course «Fundamentals of Christian Ethics» and «Weeks of Spiritual Renewal.»

The synod members believe that the introduction of the position of «educational chaplain» will allow for systematic spiritual support for children and create a legal mechanism for cooperation between schools and the church. This issue is especially relevant in times of war, when children need psychological and moral support.

Earlier, we reported that a chaplain started working at secondary school No. 11 in Ternopil. The local diocese of the UGCC and the school signed a cooperation agreement, according to which a local UGCC cleric, Roman Pidhainyi, will conduct religious activities with children.

At the same time, itis worth noting that according to the Constitution of Ukraine, the state has a provision that separates the religious sphere from the secular one. Part 3 of Article 35 of the Constitution states that «churches and religious organizations in Ukraine are separated from the state, and schools from the church.»