Vladimir Putin met with representatives of religious organizations in Moscow

On February 8, 2012, as part of the election campaign, Vladimir Putin met with representatives of religious organizations. The meeting was attended by Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Buddhist community Hambo Lama Damba Ayusheev, Chairman of the Council of Muftis of Russia Ravil Gainutdin, Chief Rabbi of Russia Berl Lazar, Archpriest. Vsevolod Chaplin, General Secretary of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Russia Igor Kovalevsky, Grand Mufti, Chairman of the Central Muslim Spiritual Directorate Talgat Tadzhuddin and other religious leaders.

Patriarch Kirill welcomed V. Putin as “ the candidate who, of course, has the greatest chance of realizing this candidacy for a real position .” The Patriarch thanked the Prime Minister for his “ huge role in correcting the crookedness of our history ” and “ active participation in overcoming a terrible systemic crisis that is destroying the very foundations of people’s life .” In his opinion, the crisis of the 1990s can be compared with " the turmoil of the 17th century, the Napoleonic invasion, the civil war and Hitler's aggression ."

Vladimir Putin, in turn, noted that although “ a lot has been done over the past decades, in particular, Orthodox churches and mosques have been restored and built ,” “ the state is still in debt ” to religious organizations.

He also emphasized that he intends to increase the airtime allocated to religious programs on television. “ The voice of the Church, church authorities, wise mentors and preachers should be heard in full force, including on federal television channels ,” V. Putin said. He also noted that, in his opinion, “ non-profit organizations created under participation of the Church, should have access to government orders on an equal basis with budgetary institutions ."

In addition, the presidential candidate promised to allocate about 3.5 billion rubles to religious organizations in 2012-1014, proposed to “equalize universities and schools created with the participation of religious organizations with state ones - both in matters of rent and in access to budget funds, and on the salaries of teachers and teachers" and increase "the participation of the Church in the life of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation."

Sources

• Patriarch Kirill: Of course, Putin is the most realistic presidential candidate // Nakanune.ru. 2012. February 8.
• Sermons on television are not enough for Putin: the voice of wise mentors must be heard in full force // Gazeta.ru. 2012. February 8.
• Putin extended his vacation and, as a presidential candidate, meets with religious figures // Moscow News. 2012. February 8.
• Patriarch Kirill is grateful to Putin for leading the country out of the crisis of the 1990s // Interfax-religion. 2012. February 8.
• Zazykin A. In Russia, the Church will be allowed to participate in government procurement // LifeNews. 2012. February 8.
• Transcript of the meeting of the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin with His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and leaders of traditional religious communities of Russia // Patriarchia.ru. 2012. February 8.