27.09.2009 

The Dnepropetrovsk Roman Catholic temple, with its unique frescos was returned to the parishioners. Unfortunately, it is almost ruined.

There hardly was anyone who believed that the story of the Catholic temple could have a happy ending. The parishioners’ opponents seemed to be too mighty.
Long ago, in 1995, bill about giving religious organizations their cultic buildings back was passed. But the person, who used to be most powerful in Dnepropetrovsk at that period of time (now he is in American jail) decided that he needed the ground area right in the center of the city on Karl Marx avenue much more than the Catholics do. As the result in 1998 the temple was no longer municipal property: it was sold to some private enterprise. It sold the temple again. After a number of resales, it became the property of “Dugsbery, Inc.” firm from California, which had bought it from some firm, coming from Panama. The Catholic parish of the region went to the court in order to get their temple back.
During that period of time people became witnesses of a forced miracle: some unique frescos, which had been covered with paint during the soviet period, showed up. This miracle was caused with “repairs and destruction works”, while the roof of the building was being removed. The owners of the house wished the building would have collapsed as soon as possible, so that the Catholics stopped putting obstacles into building of another business center or mall.
Many Catholic priests came to Dnepropetrovsk to help local parishioners protect the temple. Even Pope’s delegate came here to give a helping hand. But all their persuasion and references to law and to common sense was in vain. The conflict grew more acute.
In 2005 religious St. Joseph religious community brought a case against the Californian firm to the court. The case was passed from one organization to another, without any visible result until Victor Bondar, the governor, got interested in the case. He promised to assist believers in their struggle for justice. Due to his assignment legal department of the Regional State Administration joined the case as the third party.
- We started a struggle to protect our shrine, our Roman Catholic temple, 17 years ago – Valery Gmyrko, the headman of the Catholic community, told. First, we used the President’s decrees about returning cultic buildings to religious organizations as a ground for our actions. Yet, soon we understood that this way wouldn’t be successful and brought the case to the court. The latest decision of the Economic court was to acknowledge our religious community’s right of property for the temple. This is just the first step to the victory, but we are eager to shoot the work. 
The case is not an easy one. The temple changed its owners after the first illegal sale for several times. All these owners were actually “decent customers” who were not responsible for the previous owners’ sins.
- After we had studied the case thoroughly, we made a writ, - Vladimir Yurchenko, the head of Regional State Administration’s legal department, told. – The writ was claimed to vindicate the property from illegal possession. We made stress that the property was illegally expropriated from the state. So, we needn’t consider all other deals to be invalid. They have always been null.
“Dugsbery Inc.”, the defendant, had been trying to drag out the case. Nevertheless, the court made up the summary and made a favorable decision for the Catholic community.
- I understand that this is not the end, - Vladimir Yurchenko tells. – The second side might lodge an appeal. But the court’s decision about giving the temple back to its owners can be used as a ground by us so that we could make the case have a good ending.
The court decision was signed on the 25th of June and it comes into action in ten days after having been signed. If “Dugsbery, Inc.” doesn’t keep the court’s decision, the Catholic parish will have right to apply to the State Executive Service. Then, the firm will be forced to keep the court’s decision. We all hope that they will react in a civilized way.
- The moment when we enter this building, will be a great holiday for us all, - Valery Gmirko told. – We invite everyone. The temple has no roof, but this doesn’t disappoint us a bit. No one will be able to drive us away once again.
The Catholic temple, with its unique frescos, was built 130 years ago. During the ten-year period when it was a part of “American” property, it had been almost brought into ruins. There is no roof in the building, and frescos are often covered with rain or snow. Yet, parishioners are sure that they will be able to restore their shrine. 

Yuliya Rudaya                                                                                                                                                     (o 7)