The Ambassador of Poland visited Dnipropetrovsk
At noon the eminents visited the place near the Roman-Catholic temple, where the local Roman-Catholics had gathering for a long time. In the appeal to the parishioners the Ambassador marked that there was an agreement between Poland and the Ukraine about rending the religious communities assistance in access to Churches. The Polish authotities make efforts for support of religious communities on its territory and expect such actions from the part of the Ukraine. After short contacts with the parishioners Mr.Ambassodor and the provost of the parish came to locked door of the temple to pray.
Jacek Kluczkowski left the flowers near the door of the temple in the sign of honour.
The next action in program of the Ambassador’s visit was a meeting with the governor of Dnepropetrovsk region Victor Bondar. The situation of the Roman-Catholic temple in Dnipropetrovsk became the main theme of talks. Jacek Kluczkowski pointed out on the serious economical collaboration between Poland and Dnipropetrovsk region, the high development of trade operations, but at the same time he noticed one of the most difficult matters in the relations – destruction of the Roman-Catholic temple.
Mr.Ambassador asked the Chief of Dnipropetrovsk Region State Administration for contribution in order to the Roman-Catholic of Dnipropetrovsk could pray in historical place. “In March there will be a conference of bishops of the Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia. The Archibishop of Lviv asked me to send you the request of bishops, which want to come to Dnipropetrovsk after finishing of the conference in order to pray near the temple and get to know about prospects of returning of the temple”, Jacek Kluczkowski told to the governor.
Victor Bondar in his part found out his readiness to help in restoration of historical right in every possible way. “I see they came to illegal decision. The former authorities of Dnipropetrovsk wanted to take for their own as far as possible. At that time when hundreds objects were taken away, at least they could leave cultic buildings”, the governor said. He also advised to submit this question in international status and conduct negotiations with the Ambassador of the USA, because “the main owner of this building is under arrest in the USA”.
The Chief of Dnipropetrovsk Region State Administration was ready to be the third party in the conflict. ”We are ready to give any lawful assistance and help in returning of the temple to the Roman-Catholic community. We even want to pay damages of the American company for this building”, Victor Bondar said.
At the same time the governor said that the present owners complicated matters, used well-known dirty schemes of illegal privatization of ownership. That’s why the juridical argument can be last for years. According to Victor Bondar this matter must be discussed in public in order the public would make its presence felt.
Victor Bondar also told about intentions of the corporation “Dugsbery, Inc.” to exact over one millon grivnas from the parish because of meeting of the Roman-Catholics near their church. “This is a cult, religious building. It is impossible to celebrate the worships in other place. When they (the Roman-Catholics) were thrown away from the temple, the reasons for gathering near the church appeared. They meet to celebrate and don’t want to disturb the public, so they even don’t need the permission on it”, the governor marked.
The Chief of Dnipropetrovsk Region State Administration also mentioned frescoes, appeared on the walls of the temple more and more clearly. He said the urgent aim was to save historical value of the church building.
After the meeting the Ambassador of Poland, the governor and a churchwarden of the Roman-Catholic parish of st.Joseph talked with journalists. During the press-conference Mr.Ambassador pointed out that he was impressed most of all with great destruction of the temple. “It is worse than in Bolshevist times”, Jacek Kluczkowski said.
The churchwarden of the parish shortly described the situation around the Roman-Catholic church building and reminded, that it would be a sitting of the Superior Economic Court of the Ukraine on this matter. He hoped that juridical positions of the parish was strong, arguments were sufficient and the Court would come to juridical decision.
Answered the questions of journalists, Victor Bondar declared the Court of arbitration annuled the decision about the selling of the building. We support this decision. The Roman-Catholic temple must be returned to its community. The temple must be returned at last.
