ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL PRINCIPLES OF THE ACTIVITIES OF MILITARY CHAPLAINERS IN PROVIDING SPIRITUAL SUPPORT TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The article explores the legal nature and functional purpose of the institution of military chaplaincy within the system of public administration in Ukraine. It is noted that the national model of chaplaincy emerged in response to the unprecedented challenges posed by full-scale armed aggression, and transformed from informal pastoral care into a normatively consolidated institution. The author substantiates that today, military chaplaincy performs not only a religious but also a directly humanitarian function, which is of particular importance under conditions of mobilization economy, prolonged hybrid warfare, and continuous social strain. The article examines the key provisions of current legislation, with particular attention paid to the Law of Ukraine “On the Service of Military Chaplaincy” as amended on January 1, 2023, No. 2845-IX. This law defines the status of a military chaplain, the procedure for obtaining a mandate, the requirements for candidates, and the organizational structure of the Chaplaincy Service. The dual legal nature of the chaplain’s status is analyzed, as a person simultaneously performing public service functions and representing the interests of a religious organization. It is argued that the model of dual subordination, administrative and spiritual, requires more precise normative regulation and institutional balancing. Special attention is paid to the issue of providing spiritual support to persons with disabilities resulting from armed conflict. The article points out the growing number of war veterans who have acquired disabilities, as well as civilians in need of long-term rehabilitation, including spiritual rehabilitation. It is shown that in practice, chaplains perform functions that extend beyond those stipulated by law, particularly engaging with individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders, limb loss, internal psychological crises, and existential despair caused by loss of health, identity, or social belonging. The author argues that, in the absence of a formal state policy in the field of spiritual rehabilitation for persons with disabilities, a significant portion of relevant functions is either delegated to religious organizations or carried out on a semi-formal, volunteer basis. The article substantiates the need to expand the scope of the Chaplaincy Service’s activities by integrating chaplains into the structures of medical, rehabilitation, and social institutions. The necessity of developing state standards for spiritual care for persons with disabilities is emphasized, along with establishing clear interdepartmental coordination mechanisms that include both governmental and confessional actors. The issue of professional training for chaplains working with vulnerable categories of the population is also addressed. It is substantiated that traditional religious education alone is insufficient for effective ministry in the context of military-medical and post-traumatic realities. The author proposes the introduction of certification training programs, incorporating knowledge of clinical psychology, crisis counseling, medical ethics, social work, and humanitarian law. It is stressed that only interdisciplinary preparation will ensure effective and ethically safe interaction between chaplains and individuals who have experienced severe trauma, particularly in the context of complex rehabilitation environments. The article concludes that institutional integration of the chaplaincy service into the system of rehabilitation for persons with disabilities is not only a legal, but also a socio-moral necessity, which aligns with Ukraine’s constitutional values. Chaplaincy should be considered a tool of the state’s humanitarian response to wartime catastrophe, one that combines administrative capacity, moral legitimacy, and spiritual sensitivity. The approaches proposed in the article may serve as a foundation for updating the legal framework, developing interagency cooperation, and shaping an effective state policy of postwar reintegration and national recovery.