"They were not reserved": TRC explains recent mobilization of two UOC priests in Ternopil region

The Ternopil Regional Territorial Center for Recruitment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine explained the recent forced mobilization of two clergy of the Ternopil Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Archpriests John Koval and George Pryimak. According to the TRC, the clergymen were not exempted from mobilization, and their rank is not a reason for exemption from military service. This was reported by Hromadske.

As explained by representatives of the Ternopil Military Commissariat, during the check of the priests’ documents, it was found that they did not enjoy the right to deferment, were not reserved, and therefore are subject to mobilization on a general basis.

“The legislation does not contain absolute exceptions for the categories of persons who cannot be mobilized during martial law. The decisive factor is the existence of legal grounds for postponement or exemption,” — the military commissariat commented.

Earlier, we reported that the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience published an explanation to the rule introduced earlier by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine regarding the deferral of mobilization for heads of religious organizations registered in Ukraine. As previously reported, the list of religious organizations whose heads and representatives have the opportunity to receive a deferral from mobilization to the Armed Forces includes 7,726 legal entities, including parishes, monasteries and other institutions of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.