Otrosh M. The place and role of the Catholic Church in international law

The thesis provides science comprehensive study of the theoretical and metho­ dological problems on activity of the Catholic Church in the international arena, viewed from the standpoint of international law. The place and role of the Catholic Church in the international legal order from the First Centuries of Christianity to the Second Vatican Council and in the post-ecumenical period is analyzed. The legal nature of the Catholic Church and its international legal doctrine were determined, the analysis of which has been done on the basis of the official Acts of the Holy See, by taking into account the views of secular and ecclesiastical science on the activity of Catholicism in the international arena and its impact on the development of inter­ national law and international relations, is clarified. The thesis demonstrates that the interests of the Catholic Church in relations with subjects of international law (i.e. states and international organizations) and other churches are provided by a system of subordinate diplomatic and non-diplomatic bodies to the Pope. A great attention is paid to the analysis of the Catholic concept of natural international law, the specificity of the ecclesiastical concept in the field of human rights protection, the position of the Catholic Church for the consolida­ tion of peace and security and its contribution to the consolidation of peace and the settlement of international disputes. The participation of the Catholic Church in the interreligious and ecumenical dialogue has been clarified. The Catholic approach to solving global problems in human society and the idea of the Catholic Church on the need to reform the fundamental rules and cooperation of the international com­ munity are analyzed.