Olive Branch International, ACCTS-USA, and the All-Ukrainian Military Christian Brotherhood co-sponsored a conference on the progress and development of a Ukrainian chaplaincy from 5-7 June, 2006 in western Ukraine near L'viv. Gathered at a Greek Catholic retreat center at the outskirts of Novoyavorivske, church, military, and governmental leaders discussed the experience of the volunteer military clergyman in many Ukrainian military units, including priests who were sent to support Ukrainian military units in Iraq. "In our five years of sponsoring these conferences and training seminars we had not heard the expressions of cooperation and unity in Christ that we heard in this event. We believe the Lord has moved the hearts of many to jointly serve Ukrainian military personnel," said Bruce Kittleson, the OBI representative at the conference. The military now seems receptive to the idea of the chaplaincy, especially in view of excellent work done by military clergyman within units that have volunteer chaplains. Ukraine has not had an official chaplaincy since WWII, during the years of Soviet domination.
