NEWSBREAK

Croatia Extends Recognition to Adventist Church

ine Protestant churches--including the Seventh-day Adventist Church--gained a new status with the Croation government under an agreement signed July 4. The pact covers the areas of religious education in schools, military service, police, hospitals, prisons, building objects for religious purposes, freedom to operate public media, and the legal right to accept marriages performed in the church.

Previously, Croatia had recognized the Adventist Church only as a "sect." Under the terms of the new agreement, it will now provide limited financial support.

Miroslav Lorencin, president of the Croatian Conference, pointed out to government leaders importance of the Sabbath as a day of rest for Adventist believers. He asked the government to ensure that Sabbath keepers are able to worship without fear of retaliation from their employers. Lorencin also said the responsibility of church members to offer to perform their duties without receiving special payment after the Sabbath hours had passed.

On the progressive changes in during the Adventist Church's 100-year history in the country, Lorencin said, "We are happy to have these rights and to be recognized as a church with a Protestant heritage. We are thankful to God and appreciate the initiative of the government", said Lorencin.

Agreements were also signed with the Lutheran, Calvinist, Baptist, Pentecostal and other Evangelical Churches. Last year similar pacts were signed with Islamic leaders and with the Orthodox Church. As 88 percent of Croatian people consider themselves to be Roman Catholic, a concordat was signed a few years ago between the government and the Holy See at the Vatican. Croatian government leaders are expected to sign similar agreements with Jewish leaders and other religions later this year.                                                   --Adventist News Network

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