Ecumenical Aspects of Financing Churches and Religious Communities in the Czech Republic
Ecumenical Aspects of Financing Churches and Religious Communities in the Czech Republic

Summary/Abstract: This contribution deals with the financing of churches and religious communities in the territory of the Czech Republic. On the basis of the description of the assets changes since the foundation of Czechoslovakia in 1918, and especially during the period of the communist regime since 1948, it describes the very slow and difficult realisation of the settlement of property relations between the state and churches and religious communities since 1990. It presents especially two draft laws on this topic, the failed first one from 2008 and the successful second one from 2012. Focusing on the ecumenical aspects, it demonstrates the search for a common position of the churches and religious communities towards the question of economic separation from the state, even at the cost of a greater degree of uncertainty and insecurity, but in favour of their real autonomy. This position formed the basis of the first failed bill of Property Settlement Act of 2008 and it was accomplished at the turn of 2012/2013, in a modified way which was less favourable for the churches and religious communities. As expected, it has brought about great legal, economic, and social problems that the churches and religious communities still have to deal with today. The indisputable result of the property settlement is not only the strengthening of the autonomy of churches and religious communities, but also the deepening of the ecumenical dialogue and ecumenical co-operation.

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