Church asks for 3.77 billion

Worship Ceremony, Alta. Photo: Anette Karlsen / NTB scanpix

The Church Council has calculated the costs and capital requirements in connection with the church  beoming financially independent next year and has concluded that it needs 3.77 billion.
At the end of the year the Norwegian Church will become an independent legal entity and will assume employer responsibility for priests, deans and other clergy from the state, according to Our Country.
In consultation with the independent audit firms the National Church Council arrived at the sum that they believe is needed for them to do this: 3.77 billion. This amount includes labor costs for 2015, but also money to establish the new unit, including an equity of 1 billion and 500 million in connection with the transfer.
When the newspaper presented the sums to  church spokespeople of the government parties, they did not want to comment on them beyond these, scarce comments:
– This will have to wait,  Conservative Norunn Benestad says.
– We have to get back to the sums when the state budget is ready, Bente Thorsen of the Progress Party says.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today