RESTITUTION OF CHURCH PROPERTY IN UKRAINE HOW IS SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PROBLEM

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RESTITUTION OF CHURCH PROPERTY IN UKRAINE HOW IS SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PROBLEM

Journal Title: Вісник Львівського університету - Year 2018, Vol 18, Issue

Abstract

The problem of restitution of church property in Ukraine is investigated, the factors that actualized it, the conflictness of property issues of religious organizations is acsented. On the basis of the analysis of legislative and other normative legal acts, it is proved that the state authorities of Ukraine made a lot of effort to return the buildings and property of religious appointment nationalized by the Soviet totalitarian regime to religious organizations. Due to the actions of the authorities of the independent Ukrainian state, religious institutions were able to be secured by the religious buildings to a large extent, which led to a decrease in the inter-confessional confrontation. Problematic issues of restitution are revealed, ways and mechanisms of their solution are indicated. Among them – the development and adoption of a special law, the creation of a nationwide register of religious buildings, the restoration of property rights of religious organizations. It is shows the specifics of restitution and the use of religious buildings by religious organizations of religious buildings, which are architectural monuments. It is noted that in the conditions of Ukraine's integration into European structures, the restitution experience accumulated by the EU member states is of great importance to her. It is noted that, despite the diversity of restitution forms and mechanisms developed by European countries, Ukraine has to offer its own approaches to solving this problem, taking into account the peculiarities of the economic, sociopolitical and religious-church situation. Factors that impede the process of restitution of church property are revealed. Among the biggest obstacles to the restitution of property of religious organizations in Ukraine is the economic crisis and the unstable socio-political situation. There is a caveat about the danger of politicization of the process of returning religious buildings and property to religious organizations, which may lead to an aggravation of relations between them. It is argued that the problem of restitution of church property can only be solved by joint efforts of authorities, religious organizations, and the public. Its solution will contribute to the establishment of Ukraine as a constitutional state, to the harmonization of state-church and inter-confessional relations, to the achievement of agreement in Ukrainian society.

Authors and Affiliations

Victoria Bokoch

Keywords

state-church relations power church religious organizations restitution religious buildings and property property problems

EP ID EP571922
DOI -
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