State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) by Order No. N-80/11 confirmed a list of religious organizations — legal entities that are recognized as critically important for the functioning of the economy and ensuring the livelihood of the population in a special period. The move is part of a regulatory framework that allows the process of clerical booking to begin.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine made changes to Resolution No. 76 on reservations. According to the updates, religious organizations now have the ability to receive the status of critical to the economy and life during martial law. This paves the way for a postponement of mobilization for the clergy of such organizations.
DESS emphasizes: the very fact of the existence of a religious organization does not mean automatic reservation of its clergy. For this, the organization must meet the established criteria defined by the order of the State Security Council and be officially included in the special list.
“Direct reservation of clergymen will become possible only after the DESS approves the list of critically important religious organizations, as well as the order of reservation of clergymen, which will include the list of documents necessary for clergymen to obtain deferment from conscription for military service during mobilization”— explained DESS.
Thus, in addition to the approved list of organizations, the DESS should also adopt and publicize the procedure for the reservation of clerics. Only after that, it will be possible to officially start the procedure.
