Churches put faith in state

The South African Council of Churches (SACC) has asked for financial relief from government for member churches that have felt the pinch of the national Covid-19 lockdown, as well as Unemployment Insurance Fund benefits for those in their employ.

The SACC made this plea to President Cyril Ramaphosa last week during a meeting also attended by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.

The SACC has also motivated that places of worship open under Level 3 of the lockdown under strict guidelines, including social distancing.

The council made a presentation to Ramaphosa on a policy framework for churches to self-regulate during lockdown.

SACC general secretary Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana said the income of some churches had been seriously affected because of the effect the lockdown had on church members’ income.

“We had to present a case for churches because churches have to pay rates and taxes and there is no income. We hope the minister of local government will pick up on that one. We have the issue of banks that are expecting us to pay our bonds as churches for properties that we have bought [on behalf of] the church,” the bishop said.

“We don’t have the money at this time. We are making a case to share in the relief fund and some kind of relief for those churches with people in their employ.”

He added that some churches were surviving due to people’s generosity. In some instances, the clergy contributed from their earnings, he said.

“The financial repercussions for different churches have been varied,” he said, adding that some “have felt a slight decline in their monthly budget”.

“While for others, Covid-19 has a devastating impact on the finances of the church. Many churches, as do business and other sectors of society, have bailed financially. With congregations no longer gathering during the Covid-19 pandemic and some of the church members dealing with lost jobs or reduced working hours, the church feels the financial impact.”

To mitigate the financial losses, the SACC has also suggested that church members conduct tithing through virtual services via SnapScan or electronic fund transfers, as well as the use of reserves and electronic transfers for operational expenses.

The SACC also called on churches to suspend all capital expenditure activities and to consider cost-saving measures, with faith-based leaders forfeiting travel allowances and additional income. – News24 Wire

Covid-19 has a devastating impact on the finances of the churches.