Czech Government Approves Religious Restitution

PRAGUE (AP) — The Czech Republic’s coalition government has approved a plan to compensate religious organizations for property seized by the former Communist regime.

According to the proposal, which still needs Parliament’s approval, Czech churches would get 56 percent of their former property now held by the state, and financial compensation.

The Wednesday’s decision came after a junior coalition party withdrew its objection for the plan. The Public Affairs party was against the plan because it said the state cannot afford to pay the money now because of Europe’s economic crisis.