RCC community accuses MinCulture of manipulation over St. Nicholas Church

St. Nicholas Church in Kyiv. Photo: Facebook page of the RCC parish

On 10 July 2025, Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture filed a cassation appeal with the Supreme Court to overturn the decision to transfer St. Nicholas Church in Kyiv to the Catholic community. According to the parish’s statement, this was done on the last day set by the court for implementing the ruling.

The Ministry’s decision drew criticism from the RCC parish.

“Unfortunately, this behavior by the Ministry was not unexpected. Even during the last two meetings with Ministry representatives in June, we clearly saw their lack of intention to comply with the court decision. Although during the first meeting on 20 May, Minister Mykola Tochytskyi assured us that ‘as a law-abiding citizen’ he would implement the court’s decision, the Ministry’s current actions demonstrate the opposite – replacing promises with political manipulation and a lack of principles,” the parish priest stated.

The parish also believes that filing a cassation instead of implementing the court’s decision is part of a long history of difficulties in dealing with state authorities that has lasted for years. Community representatives stressed the need for public discussion of the situation and called for officials to be held accountable.

As a reminder, on 18 June 2025, the Pechersk District Court of Kyiv lifted the seizure order on the complex of buildings intended to house the House of Organ and Chamber Music. This cleared the way for transferring St. Nicholas Church to the Roman Catholic Church community.

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