Military chaplains seek legal status

Military priests seek a legal status for the institution of military clergy so that they could enjoy certain privileges. For this purpose, a legislative proposal developed by the Metropolitan Church of Moldova will be submitted to the Ministry of Justice, Info-Prim Neo reports. Moldovan Metropolitan Vladimir told a roundtable that military priests were introduced in the Moldovan Army under a 1997 agreement with the Ministry of Defense. “The Church has always been there for those who joined the army. There we take care that they can confess, receive consecration and spend their spare time in prayer”, said Metropolitan Vladimir. Defense Minister Vitalie Marinunta noted that the institution of military chaplains exists in many countries around the world. He also recalled that a draft Law on Military Clergy was submitted in 2005 but never adopted for some reason. “We need to see what society and state authorities think about this so that we can improve the legal framework and enhance our cooperation with the Church. If this law is adopted, (the military chaplains) will become officers and employees of the National Army, Border Guards Service or the Carabineers Troops”, said Vitalie Marinuta. Fr. Corneliu Dobrogeanu, head of the Church's department for cooperation with the army, explained that the chaplains need a legal status so that they can enjoy everything officers enjoy, including a social package, military ranks and other things. Today there are 17 priests attached to military units across Moldova.