More money is needed to preserve the country’s churches, according to the Church of Sweden. In the Falkenberg pastorate, they have had to pause work on two churches because the money is not enough.
– It is the first indication that what we have suspected for several years is now starting to become serious, says Håkan Widepalm, chancellor in the rectory.
Every year the Church of Sweden receives financial support from the state in the form of the church antiquities allowance to maintain the country’s churches. Since 2010, this has been SEK 460 million. However, a lower monetary value has meant that the money no longer goes as far, and the Church of Sweden fears that churches may have to be closed if the compensation is not increased.
Work must be postponed
In the Falkenberg pastorate, maintenance work with the churches in Torup and Asige has had to be postponed because the money is not enough.
– It feels boring. We make the assessment that we can maintain them until 2026 instead. But we think it’s boring. It is the first indication that what we have suspected for several years is now starting to become serious, says Håkan Widepalm, chancellor for Falkenberg’s pastorate.
The Minister of Culture: “We hear and see”
Every five years, the Church of Sweden and the state carry out a so-called control station, where the use of the anti-church allowance is reviewed to see, among other things, which areas of development exist. This year, it is time for the next control station, and at the beginning of April the government submits documents to the Riksdag for the autumn budget. It will be a first indication of whether the compensation will be increased or not.
– I cannot anticipate the budget process, of course, but it has not escaped the government’s notice that the need is great. We hear and see and have also noted that the church has made this request, says Culture Minister Parisa Liljestrand (M), and continues:
– We have an orderly budget process that will run, and we will get back to that.
Håkan Widepalm at Falkenberg’s pastorate hopes for a raise, so that the church can do its job as well as possible.
– It’s about wanting churches that we can have open and that can receive visitors. Both for the life of the Church of Sweden, but also for those who stop for a moment in silence and prayer and a moment for themselves, he says.