MOSCOW, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- A Kremlin official said Friday the Russian government should return church property confiscated by Soviet forces.
Alexander Beglov, deputy head of the Kremlin administration, said there are "good reasons" why the church property should be returned to its previous owners, but he also recognized the complex issues associated with such a plan, RIA Novosti reported.
"Perhaps it shouldn't happen so quickly, but I think there are good reasons for it and a tendency toward it," said Beglov, who is in charge of a government group tasked with maintaining culturally significant objects.
"My personal opinion is positive. (The property) should be returned," he added.
Since the officially atheist Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, government decrees have allowed the Orthodox Church to regain ownership of an estimated 100 churches and cathedrals.
RIA Novosti said the church is expected to assume ownership of the Novodevichy Convent in Moscow sometime this year.
