“The Role of the Priest in Society Today Is Indispensable,” Myroslav Marynovych
Myroslav Marynovych, president of the Institute of Religion and Society of UCU, a prominent public figure, publicist, founding member of the human rights Ukrainian Helsinki Group, dissident and political prisoner of the USSR, founder and chairman of the Amnesty Association in Ukraine (1991–1997), expressed concern about the law on mobilization, which does not provide for a deferral for clergy.
In a comment for the UGCC Information Department, Mr. Myroslav explained that the role of the clergy in society is of utmost importance, especially in hard times of war.
“Priests give people hope, help them find sense in this tragedy, and make the spiritual situation clear. People recognize where good is and where evil is. They believe in the victory of good. This is pivotal,” emphasized Mr. Marynovych.
Today, priests are actively carrying out a humanitarian mission on the home front. It is also important to provide moral and psychological support to war-wounded people and families who have lost relatives or are waiting for them to return from captivity.
“I can’t claim that priests are the only ones who fulfill the humanitarian mission. There are many forms of volunteering now, and they are all vital. But I can say with certainty that the role of priests in society, especially regarding cases of complex traumas, both physical and psychological, is simply indispensable,” said Mr. Myroslav.
According to Myroslav Marynovych, priests open the door to hope and put a person in a more or less clear spiritual situation. And as a rule, in war, chaplains who are trained for such a mission do this very well. However, even in the home front, “people really need a ray of light, hope, it is important for them to realize where good and evil are, and this role is brilliantly fulfilled by priests.”
“There should be chaplains in the army to provide spiritual support, not priests who hold weapons,” Mr. Marynovych emphasized.
The UGCC Department for Information
