The editorial team of the Brotherhood of Sophia previously reported on the situation involving our fellow brother, Father Ivan Polishchuk.
On October 1, 2024, following an electronic summons, he arrived at the Kremenets Territorial Recruitment Center to update his personal information. Despite being an active priest and requesting consideration of his status in resolving his case, he was sent to a training ground in Transcarpathia that same evening. There, too, his status as a priest and the canonical prohibition against handling weapons were disregarded. Father Ivan submitted all necessary documents to his new military leadership, and lawyers were brought in to assist with his case. He refused to undergo military training and did not take the military oath.
Yesterday, we received news that Fr. Ivan Polishchuk, along with other servicemen, had been sent to the Kharkiv region and assigned to the 33rd Mechanized Brigade. Despite not having undergone military training, not having taken the oath, and having submitted documents requesting alternative service, he is being prepared for deployment to the front lines.
For a comment on Father Ivan Polishchuk’s mobilization, we reached out to the director of the Brotherhood of Sophia’s office, Father Serhiy Prokopchuk:
“According to our organization’s charter, one of the Brotherhood’s activities is ‘representing the interests of members of our public organization before church and state authorities, local governments, individuals, and legal entities, regardless of ownership forms, as well as assisting in protecting their rights, freedoms, and interests.’ Thus, from the first days of our brother’s mobilization, we have been monitoring the situation and doing everything possible to find a solution. We understand the importance of every citizen’s role in defending our country. At the same time, we support the position voiced by the Rivne Eparchy of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine:
“Clergy, like doctors, play a vital role in society. If doctors heal bodies, then priests heal souls. In times of war, the need for spiritual support becomes especially urgent. Soldiers on the front lines, their families, and all those facing the hardships of war need spiritual guidance and comfort. Clergy help maintain morale, support faith, and nurture hope.
The mobilization of clergy without regard for their mission may lead to serious consequences for the spiritual life of the Ukrainian people. The Church is responsible for the spiritual well-being of its faithful, and we must ensure that every community has a priest who provides essential support.”
Father Serhiy also noted that they had reached out to the Department for External Church Relations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), where Father Ivan served. The department informed them that their legal division, with two lawyers working on the case, was addressing Father Ivan’s mobilization issue. To strengthen legal support, the Brotherhood’s office also contacted Noel Calhoun, Deputy Head of the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. The international organization provided consultative assistance on Father Ivan Polishchuk’s case.
The State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Affairs and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) was also approached. However, they informed us that, at present, they cannot assist in resolving the issue of clergy mobilization. In a personal conversation, DESS head Viktor Yelensky noted that “a working group consisting of representatives from interested ministries and departments has been established to develop a solution that will ensure the right to alternative service during wartime.”
Father Serhiy shared his view on this situation:
“We are aware of several dozen cases of clergy mobilization. Each involves violations of the clergy’s right to alternative service, along with instances of rough and prejudiced treatment of those in holy orders. All known cases of mobilization concern UOC clergy. I believe this is evidence of state pressure on the UOC clergy.
It is strange when Ukrainian law prohibits UOC clergy from being military chaplains, yet the state sees no issue in those same UOC clergy serving in the military with weapons in hand in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Is this not an example of bias against UOC clergy?
I believe that at a time when Ukraine needs unity in the fight against the enemy and when the President supports an initiative for dialogue between Ukrainian churches and the state, these issues do not contribute to religious understanding or the spiritual unity of the nation during this crucial time of trials.”
We will continue to closely monitor the situation of Father Ivan Polishchuk and reserve the right to appeal to relevant international organizations to protect his rights and freedoms.
Photo: Father Ivan Polishchuk at the training ground