Metropolitan Luke published an appeal to TRC in connection with the mobilization of priests of the UOC

The hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Luke of Zaporizhia and Melitopol, published a statement to employees of regional recruitment centers in connection with the forced mobilization of clergy of the UOC. The bishop called the mobilization of clergy not just a violation of rights, but an attempt to decapitate the parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. This was reported by the press service of the Zaporizhzhia Diocese of the UOC.

«Forcing clergy to mobilize is not just a violation of their rights. It is an attempt to decapitate the parishes. By taking a priest away from the community, you deprive hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of people of their connection with the Church, with God. This is depriving the people of Confession, Communion, Baptism, and funeral services. This is a blow to the heart of the believer. And what anger can arise in hearts when they take away not bread, but the Shepherd? You need to know that a priest takes an oath not to the authorities, but to God. And this oath is forever. According to the canons, clergy are forbidden to take up arms and take a secular oath, that is, to swear allegiance to someone else, even the state,» — writes the bishop.

Metropolitan Luke called on the employees of the TRC to think about the far-reaching consequences that await them in the future. The bishop asked them not to cross the line and not to force priests to violate their priestly vows and oaths.

«The war will pass. But we will all have to live with its consequences. And so will our children. That is why we ask you: do not cross the line beyond which God’s wrath begins. Do not take away the people’s shepherds, and do not foster a negative attitude toward the state. Do not destroy your souls and the souls of your children and descendants, because no amount of money can buy them a happy life! God’s judgment will not spare anyone! We are not trying to scare you, but it is terrible to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31),» — added the hierarch.

We remind you that on July 3, 2025, the Cherkasy Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church filed an administrative lawsuit with the Kyiv District Administrative Court demanding that the order of the State Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) dated February 5, 2025, be declared illegal and invalid No. N-21/11 “Certain issues of reserving clergy subject to military service for the period of mobilization and wartime.”