The president of the Lithuanian episcopate, Cardinal Audrys Backis, and the Minister of Culture of Lithuania, Roma Zakaitien, signed a special accord in recent days with the aim of preserving the religious artistic heritage for future generations. The protocol is the consequence of the “Accord of cooperation between the Holy See and the Republic of Lithuania on education and culture”, signed on 5 May 2002. The new document defines the religious artistic heritage as an integral part of the country’s cultural tradition and emphasises the priority of the religious use of these properties, according to their primary end. According to the recent accord, the standing bilateral Commission is responsible for formulating the priorities of sponsorships regarding the restoration, reconstruction and conservation of ecclesiastical cultural properties.
