Property rights on churches will not belong solely to their founders

The Parliament excluded, on the request of Moldova’s president, the provision from the law on religious organisations stipulating that “property rights on buildings of worship belong to the religious communities that founded them”. Another presidential amendment stipulates “the state recognises special significance and primary role of the Orthodox Christian religion and the Orthodox Church in life, history and culture of the people of Moldova”. This provision aroused arguments among the deputies. Several opposition MPs stated that the provision creates uneven conditions for the religious beliefs, a fact which will be deplored by the Council of Europe. Another amendment stipulates that theological establishments may request licensing and accreditation from the state. According to the draft law passed in second reading and later returned by the president to the Parliament for further revision, such establishments were not subject to licensing. The draft law passed second reading on May 11, 2007. Later, a number of persons, in particular Moldovan clergy, protested against some provisions of the law and urged the president not to sign it.