Slovakia's Parliament Makes Church Recognition More Difficult

The Slovak Spectator says that Slovakia's Parliament last Thursday approved an amendment to the country's Law on Religious Freedom that will make it more difficult for churches to obtain official recognition. In the past, an group was required to submit a petition with the signatures of 20,000 adult permanent residents stating they share the beliefs of the community. Under the amendment, signatures must be from adults who are actually members of the group and who are Slovak citizens as well as permanent residents.