РНБОУ National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine

Oleksandr Turchynov: Our task is not only to provide the Army with modern weapons and equipment, but also to strengthen its spiritual basis

Today the Chaplain Service in the Army gains exceptional weight and importance. This was stated by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksandr Turchynov during the opening ceremony of the international conference, with the participation of military chaplains from NATO member states, which for the first time was held in Ukraine at the base of National Guard.

"Potent nation, powerful system of victorious and combat-ready military formations can be formed only based on the high moral and spiritual principles", - he emphasized, adding that the value of true faith, true spiritual leaders most people beginning to understand only in difficult times, to which, "undoubtedly, refer times of war".

NSDC Secretary noted that, along with the revival of Army, the Chaplain Service revives too and our task - "to remove all bureaucratic obstacles and challenges on this path".

"In particular, - he stressed, - the status of chaplain needs a clear determination, that would guarantee all possibilities for spiritual ministration and a high degree of social protection of military clergy."

Oleksandr Turchynov noted that today in the ranks of Armed Forces and the National Guard of Ukraine 183 clergymen of various denominations are already working, almost 150 of which serve in units that carry out combat missions in the area ATO.

"Only a person, who deeply believes, is able to overcome oneself, lead the others and gain victory for the country and the nation", - he said, adding that one of the main objectives is not only to provide the Armed Forces and National Guard of Ukraine "with modern weapons and equipment, but also to strengthen their spiritual basis".

"It is exactly spirituality and endurance, a keen sense of justice and personal responsibility for the fate of the country what distinguishes Ukrainian heroes from Russian invaders", - he said, adding that exactly these features of the national character "allowed us to stop the enemy, who outnumbered us significantly".

Oleksandr Turchynov also expressed confidence that the joint work within this event will become an effective impetus to implement in Ukraine a rich international experience of functioning of the institution of chaplains. "Today we hold a working conference, without any pathos, in a simple soldier's club, so, with a consideration to international experience, we could develop a structure and legal base, on the ground of which the most efficient model of Chaplain Service will be built in our country. After all, this conference is attended by representatives of Chaplain Services of the Armed Forces of countries, which are close to us in spirit, views and position, of countries with which we have a common past and, more importantly, I'm sure, - a common future", - NSDC Secretary concluded.

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