Bad News From Bulgaria: Religious Freedom in Peril?

By Scott Morgan

There is an interesting trend in several countries. Which concept is more important in the grand scheme of things: National Security or Religious Liberty for minorities? This scenario has played out more than once over the last few years. Most recently, this is playing out in Pakistan over the Asia Bibi case.

However, this struggle appears to now to be occurring in Eastern Europe. Last Month, the Parliament in Bulgaria passed, on first reading, legislation containing language that would reduce religious practice on a significant level: this language would curtail theological training and missionary activities. Currently, there is a deadline of November 16th for public comment and then a final vote will be scheduled.

Some of the concerns contained within the proposed legislation include:

• Granting Eastern Orthodox and Muslim believers the exclusive right to train clergy and to operate religious schools
• Religious activities are restricted to certain buildings
• Groups have to maintain a minimum of 300 adherents to maintain legal status
• Limitations on teaching and preaching
• Restrictions on missionary activities
• Limitations on foreign donations to religious groups.

Many autocratic regimes have, in the past, placed financial limitations on groups that receive foreign aid in an effort to silence several voices of criticisms. In Bulgaria, one of the groups that could have this legislation impact them on a negative level are the Roma. Efforts are underway by some of the minority faiths to integrate the group into society. The general feeling is that when the law is passed it will further alienate the Romas from society.

At a recent protest, in Sofia, a pastor spoke out against a provision that would effectively restrict the tithes a church would be able to receive by emphasising that the Christian Faith is based upon “the Generosity of God who gave us His Son Jesus.” The speaker also stated that “We as believers, have a duty and a right to support the needy and to uphold the ministries of the church financially. The State should encourage people’s gifts to the church and not control them”. Care for and concern for the Church was a basic critique that the Apostle Paul often chastised early Churches about.

What appears to be clear is that this proposed legislation is an attempt to adhere to traditional beliefs. 

The protections that will be allocated to Muslims harken back to when the country was a province of the old Ottoman Empire. The Eastern Orthodox Church highlights and promotes past and current links to both Constantinople and to Moscow. Of the Countries in the former Warsaw Pact, Bulgaria has the closest ties to the Russian Federation despite being a member of both the EU and NATO.

So, what happens if the Parliament passes this law? 

Already there have been peaceful protests which have asked for the withdrawal of this legislation. So we should assume that on November 17th that there will be more demonstrations. There may be some calls for the Government to resign as well. Therefore, the reactions of the Government in Sofia, and other key cities, will have to be monitored. There are now several places where it is becoming more difficult to practice one’s faith especially when you are in the minority. This is a growing and dangerous trend around the World. It also appears to be spreading past the Muslim World as well.


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