"The peculiarity of Ukraine is that churches and religious organizations are an important factor in its society ..." Head of the UGCC

Both participants  accepted that the religious factor is important in the formation and adherence to moral standards of society if the constitutional principle of separation of Church and State is strictly adhered. Patriarch Sviatoslav proposed to restore and accelerate process of adoption of Ukrainian church-state relations Conception,which  has already been worked by experts of government , the church and civil society and agreed between religious community of Ukraine. The conception is the principles of the state policy in the field of church-state relations.

According to the head of UGCC , the Concept of church-state relations is a unique project development directions of church-state relations, which gain their relevance after signing the EU-Ukraine Association too . "On the one hand, this project will confirm the " secular state" status. This means that all the churches and religious organizations have the same status and are equal before the state law - said His Beatitude Sviatoslav. - And on the other - it will provide local churches and religious organizations with a place in the public context. "

Head of UGCC is convinced that today in Europe the process of secularization , which is caracterised by throwing out any signs of religious life from public discourse is taking place. " We believe that the Conception is a clear declaration of  position of  religious component  in Ukrainian society, which is essential for maintaining the pecularity of the Ukrainian state and society. This pecularity is that Churches and religious organizations are active and important factors in civil society in Ukraine. Therefore it is necessary that this should  be fixed legally and officially declared ", - said the Head of UGCC .

In this context, it was stated as a positive thing , that in this field  European Community law gives national legislation prevalence and freedom in order to preserve national culture and identity.

In conclusion, Culture Minister expressed hope for further effective practical cooperation and more frequent personal contacts for the common good of our people. Patriarch Sviatoslav supported this proposal and presented the head of the Ministry of Ukraine presentation albums of Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and commemorative coins of the National Bank of Ukraine issued on the occasion of the dedication of the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kyiv .

The meeting was also attended by : Michael Moshkola , the Head of the Department of Religions and Nationalities of Ministry of Culture of Ukraine and Mitred Archpriest Alexei Petrov , the Head of the  External Relations of UGCC in Ukraine .

UGCC  Department of Information