ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ РОЗВИТКУ КАТОЛИЦИЗМУ У ВОЛИНСЬКОМУ РЕГІОНІ У ТОТАЛІТАРНУ ДОБУ

Abstract

The main trends of Roman Catholic development of the Volyn region in the totalitarian period are revealed in the article. The activity of Catholics in the territory of Volyn region was expressed in attempt to restore their own structure, conduct missionary activities and maintain influence over the congregation. Although, through a system of anti-religious measures, the totalitarian regime tried to limit the RCC's sphere of activity, however, the effectiveness of anti-religious practices of the Soviet state and its implementation in the Volyn region often had conflicting consequences. On the one hand, we cannot summarize that they did not in any way affect the functioning of the RCC, and on the other, their result was not as expected one. Of course, there is no denying that they have become an effective tool in opposing secular religious ideology and have led to a significant reduction in the sacral space of Catholicism, modification / prohibition of a number of religious practices in Christians of the western rite of Volyn region, which have had both individual and social significance. It was found that one of the important problems of the institutional development of the Roman Catholic Church was the permission of its clergy from the Vatican to deviate from the canonical rules. Thus, it was reduced by almost half the liturgy, some religious rites were simplified (sanctification of dwellings, wells, grazes), and in the absence of a clergyman, the faithful could perform them themselves using water consecrated by the priest. Priests could wed persons of different faiths, communion with believers in their own language during confession, baptism, and wedding. Other changes were introduced to save the RCC in the region. The authorities, concerned about such vitality of the cult, tried to limit the number of priests, to discredit them in the eyes of believers. Thus, the religious institutions of the Catholics were confronted with the need to determine a place in the Soviet socio-cultural space. The influence of political factor on the religious institutions of Christians of the Western rite was its restriction on their religious and non-religious activities.