No objections to Mesic’s church tax

President’s proposal didn’t cause any discernable alarm in HBK members.

President’s proposal didn’t cause any discernable alarm in HBK members. Maybe they are confident of the Church’s political strength and their present financial stability?

President Stjepan Mesic announced on Tuesday that Catholic Church should be taxed as well and how they should be financed by the members of the Church, instead of current arrangement, where they receive funds from the state.  He further clarified that this identical tax would not apply to other Christian denominations or other religions. The President believes that, considering the Catholic Church’s frequent interference with state affairs and decisions concerning the state leadership, this would be appropriate response. He noted that this would not be an isolated case in Europe.

Although Mesic does not shy away from criticizing church leaders and is notorious for various disagreements with them, Kaptol does not seem to worry about his latest declaration. Obviously Mesic’s presidential title is not enough to disturb anyone wearing a religious uniform.

Kaptol remains undisturbed

- I have no comments concerning the proposal – seemingly relaxed Zvonimir Ancic, a spokesman for the Croatian Bishops' Conference and the director of the Croatian Catholic Radio, said in a phone interview.

It is no secret that many Catholic Church leaders have a strong tendency to reflect on the political and state affairs, however, they also maintain that they have a right to do so. They argument it by saying that they serve Croatian people and ‘assume’ a role of their public defenders. Mesic on the other hand, disagrees with this notion.

Whether this proposal will become a reality and whether it will prevent the interference of the Catholic Church with state affairs, remains to be seen.