Last
year the roof of our church was completely restored
and very recently the the louvres in the tower have
been replaced. These are repairs to a church that
is hardly used. So from where does the money come ?
On 9th December 1905, the French enacted a piece of legislation that separated church and state. The law put an end to the support and direct funding of religious groups.
Whilst there was some disquiet in France about the manner of the legislation, the fundamental principles of a secular state were then and remain now widely accepted.
If you want to read the whole piece of legislation go to :
http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/texteconsolide/MCEBW.htm,
On 9th December 1905, the French enacted a piece of legislation that separated church and state. The law put an end to the support and direct funding of religious groups.
Whilst there was some disquiet in France about the manner of the legislation, the fundamental principles of a secular state were then and remain now widely accepted.
If you want to read the whole piece of legislation go to :
http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/texteconsolide/MCEBW.htm,
but
Article 9 Section 1/1 states
......"the
buildings assigned to the worship at the time of
the promulgation of the law of December 9, 1905 and
the pieces of furniture furnishing them will become
the property of the communes in the territory of
which they are located."
The result is that the upkeep of church buildings became the responsibility of the state. A very few parishes purchased their churches from the state. I wonder if they have since come to regret that decision.
The result is that the upkeep of church buildings became the responsibility of the state. A very few parishes purchased their churches from the state. I wonder if they have since come to regret that decision.