Culture Minister: Czech state to pay 83 billion crowns to churches

Culture Minister Vaclav Jehlicka has said the Czech state has agreed with churches to pay them 83 billion crowns (over 4 billion USD) in compensation for the property confiscated by the former communist regime. Mr Jehlicka said that one third of the actual property would be returned to religious orders, while the 83 billion crowns would be a compensation for the remaining two thirds that cannot be returned. The sum would by paid in instalments over the next 60 to 70 years. Minister Jehlicka stressed that neither municipalities nor regions, but only the state would return property to churches. The draft legislation is to be submitted to the government in December.