CLERGY AND MUSEUMS IN THE WESTERN UKRAINE (XX th c. – 2024)
Abstract
The purpose of the paper is to explore the role and importance of the priesthood in the evolution and existence of museums in Western Ukraine in the XX-XXI centuries. The paper will also examine how this process was influenced by political regimes and changes in their culture and religion policies.
Research methods. The method of inductive generalization allowed different cases of clergy involvement in museum activities that occurred in various territories of Western Ukraine at different times and were mentioned in different sources to be grouped. These groups served as the proof base for several of the author's hypotheses. The historical method made it
possible to consider the research objects in the context of their environment and the process of their development. The author also used the axiomatic method, believing that intensifying the involvement of clergy in museum work is a good idea.
Results. It was found that clergymen were involved independently or were involved in museum activities throughout the study period. Cases of this involvement can be categorized into three groups: 1) clergymen as museum founders and participats in the museum activities; 2) clergymen participated in the monument protection activities; 3) clergymen as donors
of liturgical objects to museums. The lack of cooperation between the clergy and museums had negative consequences, primarily in the form of the loss of museum value objects and examples that showed this were also collected.
The scientific novelty is that it has been demonstrated that, at least in the museum sphere, representatives of different worldviews – scientific and religious – can freely cooperate and collaborate for the common good. At the same time, the existing opinion about the regulatory lack of regulation in this sphere was confirmed.
Practical significance. The results of the research can be used to substantiate the feasibility of amending legislation to eliminate existing problems in the involvement of clergy in museum work.
