Forgiveness of sins, with money from the budget
By: Marinela Raţă
Source: Evenimentul Zilei Daily, Wednesday 9 March 2011
Lawmakers have approved a state law that reimbursed 80% of the social programs of the Church
Electoral potential of the church is not overlooked by lawmakers, who gave the green light to a law yesterday that up to 80% of the money to social projects run by the church to be borne by the state budget. The remaining 20% would be covered by sponsorship and donations. Funds would be awarded by a panel of seven members, three representatives of local government and four from the cults.
Orban: The church is being subordinated to the political power
The law on church and state relations was passed yesterday by both the government and opposition MPs. Only seven members opposed the adoption of the enactment, and another five abstained. “The church is basically tied to the government by this law, because the allocation of funds will be carried by government decisions, which obviously would interfere and offer state an arbitrary role especially in the church’s social activity. In this way, the church is basically being subordinated to the power political “, argued Ludovic Orban against the liberal vote.
Turcan: full transparency must go on
Liberal Democrat Raluca Turcan, the initiator of the project, rejects however the idea that the church’s actions would be virtually politicized. “ Politicization can occur wherever there are people and human decisions. But by the principles laid down by this law and the criteria for these projects’ funding, the chances for politicization are reduced. We must rely on full transparency and on the local authorities’ request,” said Raluca Turcan.
She said that through this project, “LDP (Liberal Democratic Party) is giving a direct response to the debate on health reform by providing a right wing solution, which is naturally emerging from its Christian doctrine, and ensured through the involvement of local authorities and the church.”
Lawmakers’ interest in the church is not new. Whether concerning the amendments to the budget or the “payment” of votes by intentional government decisions, the elected officials include the churches on their refunds budget list.
http://www.evz.ro/detalii/stiri/iertarea-pacatelor-cu-bani-de-la-buget-923480.html
