Proposals for changes will go to the government

Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that in the coming weeks, the team would present two or three proposals for changes to the financing of the Church Fund to the Council of Ministers.

"At today's meeting, we allocated tasks. Each member of the team is tasked with proposing ideas, beginning with the one we are currently focusing on, which is considering the concept of tax write-offs" – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

As he explained at a press conference following the team's meeting, over 90 percent of the Church Fund's resources are allocated to social security matters for clergy.

Dialogue with churches and religious associations

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the new solution regarding the Church Fund will be developed through dialogue involving team members, members of the Council of Ministers, as well as all churches and religious associations.

"This is our duty. This is the fulfillment of the Constitution, which emphasizes the interaction of the state with churches and religious associations, for the benefit of citizens and the welfare of the community" – stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.

The first report on the progress of the Inter-ministerial Team for the Church Fund's work is scheduled to be completed by March 31.

Inter-ministerial Team for the Church Fund

The team was established by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Its mandate is to conduct analyses and develop concepts aimed at reforming the operation of the Church Fund. This includes funding rules, among others:

• Social security contributions and benefits, as well as health insurance for clergy;
• Charitable, educational, and welfare activities of churches and other religious associations;
• Reconstruction, conservation, and repair of historic religious buildings.

The team is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. In addition, representatives from various entities, including the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, the Public Benefit Committee, and the Government Legislation Center, among others, participate in the meetings.

The team is tasked with conducting its duties through meetings convened at least once a month.