The best option as to what shift has occurred as a result of the collapse of the Soviet Union is "a shift from government-owned to privately-owned business," although it should be noted that this is a bit of a simplification.
It would be the preservation and the dominance of Christianity in the region. Also it paved way to a creation of a powerful Catholic nations that will play a significant role in the history especially in the Age of Exploration and Colonization. Also it saved face of Christianity after the fall of Constantinople into Muslim hands.