Authorities to Settle Question of Catholic Church in Sevastopol

At a meeting in the Sevastopol City State Administration on March 28 to discuss preparation for the 1025th anniversary of the baptism of Rus, it was stated that upon President Yanukovych's instructions the authorities of Sevastopol intend to settle the question of the transfer of the Church of St. Clement to the Roman Catholic Church in the near future.

Last Saturday and Sunday, the Roman Catholics of the city conducted Easter masses in front of the building of the former church, which used as a cinema in the Soviet times. On the eve of the Easter, the city municipal services began repair work of the road around the church, which made it difficult to access the building.

The building is in the municipal ownership of the city council. Governor of Sevastopol Vladimir Yatsuba stated upon his appointment in 2011 that he did not mind its transferring to the Catholics. However, the press service of the city administration later explained that the authorities will make the decision only after a thorough study of the situation.

The vicar of the Sevastopol Roman Catholic community noted in a commentary to RISU that the Catholics prayed on Easter for religious concord and tolerance in the city and for all the residents regardless of nationality and confession.

More than a hundred people attended the Saturday service.