Ruling Coalition says tax may be slapped on Church’s incomes

The ruling Coalition for Pro-European Governance (CEG) are saying that a tax may well be imposed on the Church’s incomes.  

Parliament Deputy Speaker Adrian Candu stated to journalists that such practice exists in many countries.   

“In other countries and at different times, the authorities and the public paid attention to Church’s property, to non-stated incomes, methods of raising money and using the money. I am not ruling out completely that one day we, too, may raise the question concerning taxation of the Church’s incomes. The clergy, who presume they play an essential role in society development, will then really promote such development – with concrete financing, not only with their speculations and manipulations of the public opinion”, said Adrian Candu.       

He emphasized that “politicians demonstrated their tolerance and patience towards some steps made by the Church representatives lately, but the Church’s unfounded criticism is continuing”.    

“The Parliament’s duty is to defend citizens’ fundamental rights. I would like to convey my message to the Church as follows:  the Church should return to its origins, to what it actually represents, to make it a helper in conducting our dialog with the God, and to abide by its religious canons. The clergy should not forget that it is an institution supposed to take care of the society development. We don’t wish to start a war, but we will be following the behavior of some representatives of the Church. If these persons keep on abusing trust and continue manipulating the society, we shall make everything necessary to bring them to responsibility”, said Adrian Candu.             

Chairman of the parliamentary Liberal Democratic faction Valeriu Strelet said that the political class is not standing up against the Church, but politicians and the whole society should pay attention to some church representatives, “who discredit the principles of the Christian religion”.     

“I have already said that they exaggerate things and manipulate with the public opinion. Out of a usual question presenting no threat to the society, they are trying to make a gigantic problem to mobilize the whole nation for discussing it. Such behavior is impermissible”, believes the parliamentarian. 

Adapted from Infotag