Ternopil TRC explains why it detains UOC priests
According to TRC officials, the clerics of the Ternopil Eparchy did not have "legal grounds for deferment or exemption".
The Ternopil Regional TRC commented on the recent forced mobilization of two priests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Archpriests Ioann Koval and Georgiy Pryimak. As reported by Hromadske, the TRC stated that the clergy were not exempted from mobilization.
According to the Ternopil TRC, a review of the documents revealed that the priests were not entitled to deferment, were not officially exempted, and thus fall under general mobilization rules.
"The legislation does not provide absolute exceptions regarding categories of persons who cannot be mobilized during martial law. The determining factor is the presence of legal grounds for deferment or exemption," the TRC states.
As reported, DESS published a list of communities whose clerics will be exempted. The list of critically important religious organizations included 7726 legal entities. UOC communities were excluded.
