Роль УГКЦ у передвиборчій агітації парламентських виборів 2012 р.

Abstract

Складні та суперечливі аспекти демократичних перетворень в Україні потребують значного наукового переосмислення ролі релігійного чинника у суспільно-політичних процесах України і зокрема у виборах. Значущість обраної проблематики зумовлена також активізацією реформування суспільно-політичної сфери в Україні та проблемами, які виникають внаслідок таких трансформацій. Аналіз місця і ролі УГКЦ у виборчому процесі України свідчить про складність взаємовідносин релігії та політики і потребує значного переосмислення, комплексного та глибокого аналізу всіх чинників і тенденцій такого взаємовпливу. The democratic process which began under conditions of the independent Ukrainian state greatly influenced revival of religious life as the opposite effect on the political process, including determining changes in political forms of life. Difficult and controversial democratic reforms in Ukraine require serious scientific revaluation of the place and role of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC), which in modern terms is using all available tools in its arsenal to form social relationships based on Christian principles and strengthening Ukrainian nation. Despite significant number of scientific papers, which address problems of the Church as a religious institution, most of them turn its role into political life. Given this, it is important from the perspective of modern science to study the role and place of the UGCC in socio-political processes in Ukraine and particularly the election. Significance of selected issues also caused activation of reforming social and political spheres of Ukraine and problems arising from these transformations. Despite removal of formal politics, church leaders were constantly involved in campaigning. Candidates attempted to attract the Church for campaigning in their favour, due to its high prestige among the population of Ukraine and possibility of its influence on the formation of electoral preferences. The Church Administration tries to resist this phenomenon and limit the activities of priests in the elections with the help of instructions, guidelines and penalties for disobedience, while parliamentary candidates are constantly trying to attract them to campaigning. Analysis of the place and role of the Church in the electoral process in Ukraine shows the complex nature of relationships between religion and politics and requires serious rethinking, comprehensive and deep analysis of all factors and trends in such interference.