Majority parties N-VA, Open Vld and CD&V have voted down a proposal from opposition party Vooruit on the financing of the Church. However, Open Vld supports the idea of the proposal and N-VA also wants to “engage in the debate”. But the majority are closing ranks and want to wait for the results of a study first. Submitter Kurt De Loor (Vooruit) speaks of “a missed opportunity” and accuses the majority of “bashing in the media”.
Following the VRT documentary ‘Godforgotten’, not only did the discussion about abuse in the Church flare up again, the financing of the Church was also discussed again. Former Minister of the Interior Bart Somers (Open Vld) also made it clear that he wanted to review the financing of the Church. He wanted to do this on the basis of a study that would be completed in the spring of 2024.
For example, local authorities assist local religious communities when they cannot afford the maintenance of their buildings themselves. This is contained in the 2004 worship services decree. Invoices for minor maintenance work and insurance are also covered by this regulation.
50 to 60 million euros
“If the boiler is broken or the roof is leaking, it is the cities and municipalities that have to pay for it. They cannot now oblige the worship services to draw on their own reserves. They are legally obliged to contribute to the investments that the church factory makes,” explains Vooruit MP Kurt De Loor. This would amount to an amount of 50 to 60 million euros annually.
De Loor therefore submitted a proposal to put an end to mandatory financing from local authorities. Cities and municipalities would be given “maximum autonomy” to decide for themselves about support.
But the proposal was voted down by the majority in the competent committee of the Flemish Parliament. However, Open Vld is “positive about the possible abolition of mandatory financing,” acknowledges Bob Savenberg. “But if you spend money to order a study about it, it seems normal to wait for the results of that study.”
Debate
According to Nadia Sminate, N-VA wants to “have an open debate” and points out that “minds are maturing”, but N-VA also wants to wait for the study. CD&V also refers to the study.
“Extremely unfortunate and a missed opportunity,” De Loor responds. He fears that the matter will be delayed. “Nothing like this will happen anymore,” he says. “It is also hallucinatory to honk in the media that we must get rid of that obligation, and then not take action at the place and time when it has to happen.”
ANALYSIS. This is how we improve the quality of education: “Let students use their brains again” (+)
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