On its last work day of 2018, the Bulgarian Parliament voted amendments in the nation’s Religious Denominations Act. A number of problematic provisions were pulled out of draft following local protests and international pressure.
AUTHOR Vlady Raichinov SOFIA 21 DECEMBER 2018 22:16 h GMT+1
On their eight day of street rallies, Evangelical Christians crowded up in front of Bulgaria's Parliament praying for God's interference in the legislative process, December 21, in Sofia. / Vlady Raichinov
On its last work day of 2018, the National Assembly of Bulgaria voted amendments in the nation’s Religious Denominations Act. This became fact after five hours of deliberations on Friday, December 21.
A number of problematic provisions were pulled out of the draft following local protests and international pressure. Local Evangelicals experience a mix of enthusiasm and premonition of new issues round the corner.
DRAFTED RESTRICTIONS THREATENED BASIC FREEDOMS
The original form of the amendments pushed at first reading in early October, included a number of restrictions that alarmed all faith groups in the country and triggered statements of protest from various international institutions. Initially, the lawmakers planned installing provisions that allowed the government to interfere in heavy ways into church affairs.
The problematic articles included a number of disconcerting restrictions, including impeding clergy training; strict filtering of international donations to churches; limitations on sermon content; restraining liturgy to designated buildings; obstructing non-Bulgarians’ ministry; membership of 3,000 for legal registration; allowing special privileges to religious groups over one percent of the population.
Evangelical pastors spoke and prayed in front of Bulgaria's Parliament on December 21. / Vlady Raichinov
The parliamentarian initiative triggered a massive outcry among Evangelical Christians. Every faith group in Bulgaria issued a statement of objection. The Bulgarian Evangelical Alliance (BEA) and communities like Catholics, Seventh-Day Adventists and many Evangelical denominations mobilized church members for seven public protests in November and December. The vigils were called “prayer rallies” and were held in various towns. Many faith groups also underlined that it was not appropriate to try to address national security issues by rewriting a law on religions.
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