Adventist News Network
Released by:   Ray Dabrowski
Phone:    +31-30-955-324 (June 29-July 8) or +301-680-6300


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 1995


PARLIAMENT VOTES CHURCH - STATE ACT WITH THE SEVENTH-DAY
ADVENTIST CHURCH

Warsaw, Poland...   After five years of negotiations, the Polish
Parliament (Sejm) has approved the text of a law which regulates the
relations between the Polish Republic and the Seventh-day Adventist
Church.

According to Zachariasz Lyko, the Church's counsel, who represented the
Church in the legislative negotiations, "this Act of Parliament is of
historical proportions. Our Church not only received a legal status in
the country, but that status makes the Church equal before the law just
like other denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church."

The parliament acknowledges that the Church in Poland is a part of the
worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church, and recognizes the General
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists as the highest authority in
doctrinal and ecclesiastical matters.  News of the parliamentary
decision was announced by world Church president, Robert S. Folkenberg,
to the participants of the world congress of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church, meeting in Utrecht, The Netherlands, just hours after the vote
of approval in Sejm on Friday, June 30.

The law establishes the Church's jurisdictions and describes its
relationship with the state. It guarantees full religious freedom for
Adventists, ensuring that their Sabbath rights in the work place and
school will be honored. Free Saturday is also guaranteed for military
personnel.

The Church has full autonomy in its operations, governed by its own
statute. Freedom of its missionary work is guaranteed, together with
the Church's public activities. Regarding the day of worship, the law
recognizes Saturday as that day. Believers have a right to be free from
work and studies between sunset on Friday and sunset on Saturday.

The law states that Adventists are awarded an opportunity to teach
religion to Adventist students in public schools. The Church is also
guaranteed the full right to establish and operate institutions,
including schools of all levels, publishing houses, foundations and
other entities. The Church is guaranteed the right to military
chaplaincy.

The law received support of practically all members of parliament, with
only three abstentions, and was part of a legal package that received
parliamentary passage for three other churches, including Baptists,
Methodists and Polish Catholics. Now, the law is being sent to the
Polish Senate and will await the president's signature which will make
it legally binding.

Dr. B. B. Beach, public affairs director of the world Church, states
that, "The passing of this law is a remarkable religious liberty
victory for the Polish Seventh-day Adventist Church. This marks the
climax of many years of negotiations and increasing positive relations
between the Polish state and the Church!"

The law is similar to recently passed legislations in Italy and Spain
which gives separate and legal recognition to the Adventist Church and
the religious needs of its members.

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