Ombudsman demands MinCulture transfer St. Nicholas Cathedral of Kyiv to RCC

Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. Photo: radiosvoboda

The VR Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, on December 11, 2025, called on the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine to transfer the St. Nicholas Cathedral to Catholics in Kyiv,reports Radio Svoboda.

According to him, the community has repeatedly sought help due to the delay in the process of transferring the church, despite an existing court ruling and orders from past authorities. The Ombudsman noted that the building is in an emergency state, and the delay in its transfer threatens the safety of parishioners.

Dmytro Lubinets emphasized that a memorandum has been signed between the Ministry of Culture and the Roman Catholic community, but the actual implementation of the court decision has not begun. He reported that during a monitoring visit, his office found violations of fire and technical safety requirements.

"Every day, hundreds of people are under a real threat to their lives! And all this is due to the inaction of the owner and the balance holder, which can have tragic consequences! Since the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine avoids dialogue and refuses to meet with representatives of the religious community, this only indicates a deliberate blocking of the process," he stated.

The Ombudsman urged the Ministry of Culture to immediately proceed with the execution of the court ruling, ensure the rights of the religious community, and eliminate the dangerous technical condition of the church.

As reported by the UOJ, Catholics of Kyiv complained to Zelensky that the Ministry of Culture does not give them the church.

Read also