Church finances looking good

The healthy national economy is also reflected in the national church finances.

So far this year, the church has received DKK 30 million in taxes, an increase of DKK 5m on the same period last year.

Bishop Jógvan Fríðriksson says that the added income has been spent on improving the standards of service.

“Since the national church was transferred from Danish to Faroese authorities in 2007, we now have five more vicars in the country, and we are also co-funding the church history course at the University of the Faroe Islands,” he says.

Church rates unchanged

Many of the country’s churches are in need of repair work, but the church authorities have decided to exercise prudence during the good financial times.

“The construction industry is under great pressure these days, so we have decided to put repair and maintenance work on hold for a while.”

In 2007, the national rate was increased from 0.4 to 0.6 percent, and the bishop is not planning to increase the rate any further.

“I have never heard anyone ask us to lower the church rate. Many have said that the strong national economy would be a good reason to increase the rates, but I see no reason for doing that.”

Translated by prosa.fo