Czech government will turn over seized churches

A prominent Czech church leader has welcomed an agreement that would
allow churches to reclaim land and buildings seized under communist rule
but would require them to forfeit state subsidies in return.

A
draft settlement was finalized in Prague on August 25 that allows
religious groups to retrieve assets that were confiscated after the 1948
communist takeover, while obtaining financial compensation for others.

"The
ball is now in the government's court to prepare the necessary
legislation," said Joel Ruml, chairman of the Czech Ecumenical Council
and a member of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren.