Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, criticized citizens who are evading mobilization

In a recent interview with the publication “Levy Bereg,” Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), criticized citizens who are evading mobilization, describing their actions as a failure to fulfill their civic duty. Details of the UGCC leader’s statement are provided by and the publication “Levyi Bereg.”

During a conversation with journalists, Shevchuk emphasized that, despite its reluctance to condemn anyone a priori, the church maintains a position of support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). According to the head of the UGCC, the ideal scenario is for citizens to voluntarily enlist in the army, driven by “the call of their own conscience, love for their homeland, and the duty to defend it,” without the need for the use of force by regional recruitment centers.

It was also noted that the UGCC is actively working to fill quotas for military chaplain positions in the UAF, the National Guard, and the border troops. Shevchuk clarified that, in accordance with church canons, clergy do not take up arms, while still fulfilling their specific “line of defense.”

As a reminder, Sviatoslav Shevchuk previously spoke about the need to integrate migrants into Ukrainian society as one of the tools for overcoming the demographic crisis. He shared his views during a meeting with experts from the Frontier Institute, where they discussed the country’s development path in light of current challenges.