Prayer needed for Hungarian Churches
Mid-July the Hungarian Parliment passed a bill that is to go into effect in January 2012. This new law officially recognized only 14 existing churches as legal to operate in Hungary and continue to receive government subsidies, grants and the taxpayer's designated 1% that came from the government coffers to the church. The stated reason for the law was the economy and need to weed out church "businesses". If you were not on the very "short" list of recognized churches, and 344 were not you have the "opportunity" to re-register by December 31, 2011. If you do not you face losing not only your status as church but any assets including property. So, therefore you must re-register.
The governments stand is "We do believe in freedom of religion" - you just need to re-register.
OK, so to re-register as a "church" there are obviously some requirements. You must have 1,000 members (and furnish their names, address and official Hungarian ID number). You must have 20 years in operation and provide five years of financial paperwork. If you can meet that and others there is still one last hurdle. Your request for registration as a church would then be submitted to the Parliment to be voted on and you would need 2/3 vote of acceptance to be approved. Simple, right?
Of course, because the law was passed in the summer and because August 20 is a National holiday, most offices are closed much of August. So, no one knows where to get the re-register forms or where to apply and there is no one to answer your questions or e-mails.
If you do not have the 20 years or the 1,000 members you could register as a "Religious Association" but as yet, no one knows the requirements for that.
Does this affect our church? YES ....Our friend's churches in Budapest, Miskolc, Debrecen and Szeged - Yes. I believe the highest impact is on those "living churches" so-called "new churches" and independent churches that were established in the early 90's. On the approved list is only large denominations - Catholic, Reformed, Jewish, Orthodox and Faith Church.
This law is now being challenged and there is some hope it will be overturned by the European Union. Meanwhile, please be praying for Hungary and the life of the church. Thank you.
Click here to read an article about challenging this law.
The governments stand is "We do believe in freedom of religion" - you just need to re-register.
OK, so to re-register as a "church" there are obviously some requirements. You must have 1,000 members (and furnish their names, address and official Hungarian ID number). You must have 20 years in operation and provide five years of financial paperwork. If you can meet that and others there is still one last hurdle. Your request for registration as a church would then be submitted to the Parliment to be voted on and you would need 2/3 vote of acceptance to be approved. Simple, right?
Of course, because the law was passed in the summer and because August 20 is a National holiday, most offices are closed much of August. So, no one knows where to get the re-register forms or where to apply and there is no one to answer your questions or e-mails.
If you do not have the 20 years or the 1,000 members you could register as a "Religious Association" but as yet, no one knows the requirements for that.
Does this affect our church? YES ....Our friend's churches in Budapest, Miskolc, Debrecen and Szeged - Yes. I believe the highest impact is on those "living churches" so-called "new churches" and independent churches that were established in the early 90's. On the approved list is only large denominations - Catholic, Reformed, Jewish, Orthodox and Faith Church.
This law is now being challenged and there is some hope it will be overturned by the European Union. Meanwhile, please be praying for Hungary and the life of the church. Thank you.
Click here to read an article about challenging this law.
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