Patriarch Sviatoslav: Privatization of Shrines Is To Be Coordinated With Council of Churches

According to the Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Patriarch Sviatoslav, it is advisable to carry out the restitution of Church property in Ukraine, but it should be done carefully without favoritism with respect to any denomination.

He expressed this opinion in an interview for the studio Skelia as he explained his position on Bill 9690 on privatization of the Pochaiv and Kyiv Cave Monastery.

“As for the transfer of religious buildings to the ownership of any denomination, as I repeatedly said in the past, it should not be done with showing favouritism for any particular denomination, for both the Catholic and Ortyhodox Churches were harmed at the Communist time,” stated Patriarch Sviatoslav.

In his opinion, the transfer should be carried out transparently and with taking into account the interests of all the denominations.

“I clearly objected to transfer of such cultural monuments to anyone’s ownership without taking into account the voice of the Churches, particularly, the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. Otherwise, it creates a very unhealthy image of the Church in the society, especially if administrative resources are used,” noted the patriarch.

“The restitution of the Church property is obviously to take place but in an open dialogue between Churches in order not to provoke interdenominational tension,” stressed the Head of UGCC, Sviatoslav (Shevchuk).