The chaplaincy position in the Armed Forces is only 36% filled

The position of chaplain in the Armed Forces of Ukraine is only 36% filled. According to a representative of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, chaplains should be at least 1.5% of the military personnel, but Ukrainian religious denominations do not have time to fill these positions at the required pace. The official said this in a commentary to Ukrinform.

“The issue of staffing chaplaincy positions remains acute, especially in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where their number is the largest compared to the State Transport Service. According to the latest data, the positions of military chaplains in the Armed Forces are filled by about 36%. It is clear that people engaged in military chaplaincy cannot be constantly on the contact line. However, why not take care of family members of military personnel? Let this area develop,” — said Vyacheslav Gorshkov, head of the Religious Affairs Department of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience.

Earlier, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved amendments to the “Regulations on the procedure for issuing a mandate for the right to carry out military chaplaincy activities” in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. According to the new amendments, the priests of the UOC are permanently prohibited from carrying out chaplaincy activities in the military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.