Lithuania: Government recognizes Adventist Church
|
Church now qualifies for tax, military exemptions |
|
Bertold Hibner, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lithuania, stands outside the church's headquarters in Kaunas, Lithuania. On July 15 the country's government officially recognized the church as a religious community. [photo: courtesy Baltic Union Conference]
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 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 Adventist Church was established in Lithuania in 1919, with current membership numbering over 900.
Digg
del.icio.us
reddit
newsvine
Y! MyWeb
ANN World News Bulletin is a review of news and information issued by the Communication department from the Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters and released as part of the service of Adventist News Network. It is made available primarily to religious news editors. Our news includes dispatches from the church's international offices and the world headquarters.
Reproduction Requirements:
Reproduction of information in this article is encouraged. When reproducing
this material, in full or in part, the words "Source: Adventist News Network" must
appear under the headline or immediately following the article. The words "Source:
Adventist News Network" must
be given equal prominence to any other source that is also acknowledged.
Ground 7 News Podcast:
Ground 7 News is a review of news and information issued by the Communication Department from the Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters and released as part of the service of Adventist News Network. Reproduction of the ANN podcast is encouraged. When rebroadcasting this material, in full or in part, the words "Source: Adventist News Network" must be mentioned before and after the podcast.
ANN
Staff:
Rajmund Dabrowski, director; Ansel Oliver, assistant director; Elizabeth Lechleitner, editorial coordinator; Megan Brauner, editorial assistant. Portuguese translation by Azenilto Brito, Spanish translation by Marcos Paseggi, Italian translation by Vincenzo Annunziata and Lina Ferrara and French translations by Stephanie Elofer.
Top Stories
