The State Duma has passed a law in both the second and third readings that prohibits the privatization of religious property, a measure initiated by the Russian Orthodox Church. The new legislation imposes a direct ban on the privatization of religious property that is owned by the state or municipalities, and invalidates any privatization deals involving such property. This was reported by RIA Novosti.
The law is set to take effect upon its official publication. Furthermore, its provisions regarding the invalidity of transactions will apply retroactively to legal relations arising after the enactment of the law on November 30, 2010, № 327-FZ "On the Transfer to Religious Organizations of Property of Religious Significance Owned by the State or Municipalities," with certain exceptions.
According to the authors of the law, religious property—including cathedrals, church furnishings, and pilgrim hostels—should belong to the church and be used exclusively for religious purposes.
The explanatory note accompanying the law states that current legislation effectively allows the state or local governments to sell religious property to private owners. Consequently, such properties could be used for purposes incompatible with their religious nature, potentially offending the sentiments of believers.
The legal department of the Moscow Patriarchate played an active role in drafting the bill. In May 2023, during a legal forum, the head of the legal department of the Moscow Patriarchate, Abbess Ksenia (Chernega), appealed to deputies to introduce the corresponding legislative initiative to the State Duma.
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