Daily Journal:

A completely normal European practice is government funding of social programs of non-profit, including religious organizations (NPOs). Take secular France, for example. The intention itself can only be welcomed. Possible abuse. But, as the ancients said, this “does not cancel use.”

The process of socialization of the church has been launched, and, apparently, can no longer be stopped. Of course, the Russian Orthodox Church seeks to carry it out on its own terms or on the most favorable terms for itself. But to marginalize the church is no longer secular, but Soviet. The principle of secularism of the state does not imply the absence of partnership contacts with the church. Moreover, if this happens in the legal field, completely openly and legally. As for lobbying interests, it would be strange and even dangerous for society if such a powerful religious organization as the Russian Orthodox Church did not recognize them and did not lobby for them.

I think that the main, and as always passive-sabotaging, resistance to the implementation of this initiative will be met by the church leadership among the ordinary clergy. Parish priests, with rare exceptions, are simply not competent in social work, as well as in matters of teaching military-industrial complex and transferring museum valuables. Although the implementation of the project can be a good incentive to improve the skills of employees of a new NPO.