[APD] Lithuanian Government recognizes Adventist Church

[Christian B. Schäffler]

[APD] Lithuanian Government recognizes Adventist Church

 

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Lithuanian Government recognizes Adventist Church

 

Vilnius/Lithuania, 29.07.2008 [ANN/APD]  The Lithuanian government granted
the Seventh-day Adventist Church's application for state recognized status
on July 15, qualifying the church for state subsidies and certain tax
exemptions, as well as excusing theology students and clergy from military
service.

 

"State recognition for the Seventh-day Adventist church in Lithuania means
that its contribution to public life and culture is recognized," said
Bertold-Vinston Hibner, president of the Adventist Church in Lithuania. "I
hope that the church will see it as a strong commission to serve and
proclaim to the community the good news of the gospel."

 

Lithuanian law separates religious communities into four categories:
traditional, state recognized, registered and unregistered. Only traditional
and state recognized religious organizations have insurance payment
exemptions for clergy and employees, and are not taxed for services such as
electricity, heating, and phone. 

 

To qualify for state recognition, Lithuanian law requires non-traditional
religious entities to be registered in the country for a minimum of 25
years. Government status does not legally affect the ability of a religious
organization to worship or reach out to communities; it refers to types of
benefits received.

 

The protestant Free Church was reregistered in 1996 under the independent
Lithuanian government, and applied in 2003 for recognition by the state.
Lithuania unites 906 adult baptized members in 17 local congregations. The
largest congregations are in the capital Vilnius and in Kaunas. There are
three Adventist congregations in Vilnius--Lithuanian, Russian and Polish.
The first church in Lithuania was established 1919 in Zagar, and during the
period of religious freedom more local churches were added, with state
registration in 1926.

 

During 50 years of occupation by the Soviet Union and under atheistic
Communist regime church work was very limited. Adventist and other churches
were persecuted and missionary work was pushed underground. After Lithuania
regained it’s independence in 1991 the church could freely continue its
active work and has experienced a rapid growth. Lithuania with 3.4 million
inhabitants is primarily Roman Catholic (80%), with Orthodox, Protestant,
Jewish and Muslim minorities. [Editors: M. Kucinskas, G. Bukalders, M.
Brauner and C.B. Schäffler for ANN/APD]

 

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http://www.stanet.ch/APD/news/1887.html

 

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