The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, granted the Seventh-day Adventist Church's application for state recognized status on July 15, qualifying the church for state subsidies and certain tax exemptions, as well as excusing theology students and clergy from military service.
"State recognition for the Seventh-day Adventist church in Lithuania means that its contribution to public life and culture is recognized," said Bertold-Vinston Hibner, president of the Adventist Church in Lithuania. "I hope that the church will see it as a strong commission to serve and proclaim to the community the good news of the gospel."
Lithuanian law separates religious communities into four categories: traditional, state recognized, registered and unregistered. Only traditional and state recognized religious organizations have insurance payment exemptions for clergy and employees, and are not taxed for services such as electricity, heating, and phone.
To qualify for state recognition, Lithuanian law requires non-traditional religious entities to be registered in the country for a minimum of 25 years. Government status does not legally affect the ability of a religious organization to worship or reach out to communities; it refers to types of benefits received.
The protestant Free Church was reregistered in 1996 under the independent Lithuanian government, and applied in 2003 for recognition by the state. Lithuania unites 906 adult baptized members in 17 local congregations. The largest congregations are in the capital Vilnius and in Kaunas. There are three Adventist congregations in Vilnius--Lithuanian, Russian and Polish. The first church in Lithuania was established 1919 in Zagar, and during the period of religious freedom more local churches were added, with state registration in 1926.
During 50 years of occupation by the Soviet Union and under atheistic Communist regime church work was very limited. Adventist and other churches were persecuted and missionary work was pushed underground. After Lithuania regained it’s independence in 1991 the church could freely continue its active work and has experienced a rapid growth. Lithuania with 3.4 million inhabitants is primarily Roman Catholic (80%), with Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim minorities. [Editors: M. Kucinskas, G. Bukalders, M. Brauner and C.B. Schäffler]
