Chaplain
The Ministry of the CHAPLAIN
Chaplains from our foundation who serve in frontline areas and cities near the front lines in Ukraine
Section II. ORGANIZATION OF ACTIVITIES AND STRUCTURE OF THE MILITARY CHAPLAINCY SERVICE
https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1915-20#Text
Article 4 Military chaplaincy service
1. The military chaplaincy service is designed to organize activities to meet the spiritual and religious needs of military personnel and employees of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, other military formations established in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, the State Border Service of Ukraine, and their family members.
2. The military chaplaincy service shall be established as a separate structure within the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, other military formations established in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, and the State Border Service of Ukraine, the type of which depends on the scope, nature, and complexity of measures to meet spiritual and religious needs in their military command, unit, military unit, military educational institution, institution, or organization (hereinafter referred to as a military unit). In a military unit at the level of a separate battalion, the functions of the Military Chaplaincy Service may be performed by a single military chaplain.
3. The relevant military chaplaincy services are directly subordinate to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine, the heads of other military formations established in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, and the Head of the State Border Service of Ukraine.
4. The maximum number of military chaplains for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, other formations established in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, and the State Border Service of Ukraine cannot be less than 0.15 percent of the maximum number of personnel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, other military formations established in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
Article 5 Basic principles of the Military Chaplaincy Service
1. The activities of the Military Chaplaincy Service in organizing events to meet the spiritual and religious needs of military personnel, employees, and their families are carried out on the basis of the following principles:
1) observance of the constitutional right of military personnel and employees to freedom of worldview and religion;
2) equality of representatives of all religions serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard of Ukraine, other military formations established in accordance with the laws of Ukraine, and the State Border Service of Ukraine in satisfying their religious needs;
3) equality of military chaplains regardless of their affiliation with a religious organization;
4) tolerant attitude of military chaplains towards representatives of other religious organizations;
5) the inadmissibility of imposing religious or other beliefs;
6) voluntary participation of military personnel, employees, and their family members in religious services and ceremonies;
7) equality of military chaplains of different faiths in the use of spiritual centers;
8) prioritizing combat (special) training when planning and conducting activities to meet the spiritual and religious needs of military personnel.
Code of Conduct for Military Chaplains
Military chaplain(Champlains)responding to God's call, undertakes to observe the commandments of love and the following principles:
- serve God and, with His help, the people who serve and work in the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
- adhere to the traditions and practices of their church (religious organization);
- be aware that as a military chaplain (chaplain) for servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he will work in a multi-faith environment and therefore voluntarily undertakes to cooperate with chaplains of other religious denominations to provide pastoral care to military personnel and their families under his care;
- endeavor to ensure that the religious needs (pastoral care) of believers of other denominations (religions) are met within the limits of his competence as conscientiously as he would do for the faithful of his own denomination (religion);
- respect the religious beliefs and traditions of religious military personnel as well as the right to freedom of belief of non-believers;
- when conducting prayers and worship services attended by representatives of other denominations (religions), try to focus on issues that are common to all, avoiding interdenominational divisions and disputes.
- respect the religious teachings, beliefs, and practices of every military chaplain who serves the servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
- not to require members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to serve or engage in practices that contradict the religious practices of their denomination (religion);
- strive to support their colleagues in ministry by building constructive relationships with them, as well as with the staff at their place of ministry;
- strive to be an example in spiritual practices, holiness, and healthy living, and devote time to educational and recreational programs for professional and personal development;
- to coordinate the schedule of one's spiritual ministry with military regulations
- in their ministry, pay attention to working with military families;
- fairly protect everyone from discrimination based on religious beliefs, nationality, and gender;
- maintain confidentiality regarding information obtained during his service;
- not to engage in proselytizing followers of other denominations (religions), having the right to preach to those who do not identify themselves with another denomination;
- having spiritual authority granted to him by his church (religious organization), never to use his status to harm a person in a religious, moral, or emotional sense; to use his pastoral ministry only to best meet the religious needs of the people under his care;
- to manifest personal faith and love for God in their lives, striving together with their fellow clergy to promote the ministry of dignity and honor to which they have been called.
