|
|
|
|
|
« Return
|
|
Czech churches protest law they consider hostile to religion
2002-013-1
1/17/2002
|
[Episcopal News Service]
Churches in the Czech Republic are challenging a controversial new law that they argue restricts religious activities, comparing it to controls placed on the practice of religion during communist rule.
Under the law, government officials have jurisdiction over the opening of places of worship and the establishment of religious communities. The legislation also requires that churches use their income solely for religious activities, not civil or social purposes.
'What we're seeing is a return to the communist era,' said Nadeje Mandysova, secretary general of the Czech Ecumenical Council, a group of 11 Protestant and Orthodox churches. 'We still don't fully understand why such a hostile campaign is being waged against us.' The churches will ask a court to declare the law unconstitutional.
The legislation is the latest example of an ongoing dispute between the government and the churches. Since the fall of communism, churches have demanded that the government return properties seized and also clarify the financial status of the churches in a nation where clergy salaries are paid by the state. 'Unless we can salvage something, the future for Czech churches looks bleak,' said Mandysova.
'Although a communist dictatorship no longer exists here, many legislators still harbor the same political habits,' said Lawrence Cada, press officer for the Conference of Czech Bishops. 'The strongest politicians here distrust the churches and don't believe in freedom of association. They think all power should be in government hands and everyone else should just keep quiet.'
|
|
|
|
|
|
