Payment for Confiscated Churches, End of State Support Proposed in Czech Republic

The government of the Czech Republic has agreed to propose a law to compensate churches in the country for property confiscated under Communist rule. Affecting mainly Catholic churches, the government will pay US$4.5 billion over a period of 70 years . Ekklesia today reports that the bill that will be introduced in December also contemplates churches becoming financially independent of the state. Direct payments to churches, including clergy salaries, will be gradually phased out over a ten-year period. While churches are happy with the proposal, the bill's fate in Parliament is uncertain as Social Democrats and former communists reflect public opinion against compensation. (See prior related posting.)