STATE AND PROSPECTS OF REQUISTED MONUMENTS OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN UKRAINE (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH)

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of religious buildings returning and property in Ukraine illegally alienated by Soviet power to the Roman and Catholic Church. It is emphasized that overcoming the consequences of state policy in the sphere of religion and the church and restoring the rights of religious organizations to the religious buildings and property requisitioned by the Soviet authorities is a complex and lengthy process. The study of this problem is due to the fact that restitution takes a prominent place in the system of state-church relations and is closely linked to the maintenance of harmonious interfaith relations. For the purpose of scientific understanding of the problem, a comparative-historical method was used, as well as a method of analysis, systematization and generalization. For the first time, the article provides a comprehensive analysis of the process of returning to the Roman and Catholic Church in Ukraine the cult buildings and property expropriated by the Soviet authorities. The ways and mechanisms of restitution in modern conditions are determined. It is stated that the introduced provisions in the legislation on return to religious organizations of religious property require clarification, clear definition of forms and procedure of restitution of property of religious organizations. It is emphasized that the unregulated nature of this problem gives rise to property disputes between religious organizations, which tend to escalate into acute opposition. For obvious reasons, the process of restitution of church property must continue to be the object of state attention, which in turn will promote the harmonious development of state-church relations.