So far, all the work is being done only from funds donated by parishioners, and the support promised by the municipality is still not in the account. People have a legitimate question – has the district government backed down from its promises, or does the funding mechanism work differently than people imagine, writes rinkosaikste.lt.
Read more Putin voted in an unusual way
Parishioners’ donations remain the basis for church repairs
The pastor of the Labūnava Divine Providence parish, Tomas Trečiokas, does not hide that the situation is not that simple. According to the clergyman, rumors about receiving municipal support hinder further fundraising.
“The point is that the municipality is indeed committed to allocating funds to us, but people often imagine that we have already received that money.
I always emphasize – currently we are only using parishioners’ funds. We will receive the municipality’s money only after we complete all the planned work.
It is very important to me that the community understands where the finances come from. Because not only ordinary people think that we no longer need help, but even the technical work supervisor who came said: ‘You must do certain works because you received municipal money.’
I answer him that I have not received a cent from the municipality, and when I do – I will publicly thank and rejoice. Now I am practically finishing repairing the church, but there is no money from the municipality in my account and there never was,” explains T. Trečiokas.
The pastor notes that the project budget has increased several times, so parishioners’ support is vitally important.
“All the work can cost 200 or even 300 thousand euros. The municipality’s contribution is 50 thousand euros. If I, without having those funds, start saying that the money has already been received, people will stop supporting and trying.
So far, I have spent about 91 thousand euros of my own money just so that later we can apply for that 50 thousand euro municipal compensation.
The initial plans only included roof replacement, but there was enthusiasm to renovate the facade, lighting, foundations, replace windows and doors.
Currently, I have spent about 91 thousand euros of my own money just so that later we can apply for that 50 thousand euro municipal compensation. This system, where you have to do everything with your own funds first, is very complicated,” the pastor admits.
The municipality reassures: funds reserved, waiting for the work completion certificate
Edgaras Jasenka, chief specialist of the Architecture and Urban Planning Department of the Kėdainiai district municipality administration, reassures residents – the funds have definitely not disappeared, and the municipality does not abandon its commitments.
“The budget fund usage contract with the Labūnava Divine Providence parish has been signed, and 50 thousand euros have been allocated to the parish. Our immovable cultural heritage specialist constantly communicates with the pastor, contractors, and specialists performing technical and project supervision of the building,” emphasizes E. Jasenka.
According to the municipality representative, the project scope was expanded based on the parish’s own initiative.
After signing the contract, the pastor expressed a desire to perform additional work, to which the parish itself will financially contribute. Seeing the enthusiasm of the church representatives and parishioners, the municipality administration itself initiated an amendment to the contract allowing these works to be carried out,” says the specialist.
Answering the question why the money has not yet reached the parish account, E. Jasenka pointed out the payment model chosen by the contractor, which works on a reimbursement basis. In other words, the work must first be done, paid for, and only then will the municipality transfer the money to the parish account.
However, the parish could have received the allocated funding in installments but decided it would be better to receive the entire amount at once.
“The funding contract provides the possibility for the contractor to submit interim work completion certificates and receive partial payments.
Nevertheless, the contractor preferred to receive the entire amount at once, after completing the work. At the request of Pastor Tomas Trečiokas, the final work certification will take place from September 14 to 18,” says E. Jasenka.
Financial finish – very soon
As confirmed by both parties, the process is proceeding according to the signed contract, the church repair works are not stalled, the contractor is working and even doing more than planned. As soon as the work is officially recorded and evaluated by specialists, the municipality’s transfer will reach the Labūnava parish.
“We plan that in mid-September, when a large part of the roof work is done, we will sign the work completion certificates.
I will submit paid invoices and documents proving payment, and then the municipality will transfer the promised 50 thousand euros to us.
We hope these formalities will be completed within a month,” summarizes Pastor T. Trečiokas.
Although the bureaucratic mechanism required the parish’s patience and large initial financial resources, the support of the Kėdainiai district authorities for the Labūnava sanctuary will soon become a tangible reality.
However, that will certainly not be enough, as to fully restore the church, called the pearl of Lithuania, at least twice, if not three times, the amount of money will be needed. And the pastor hopes to raise it from parishioners and major sponsors. The work is, indeed, not easy, but T. Trečiokas is glad that the experience gained allows him to cope with difficulties.
And finally, as the pastor says, the church repair works carried out and the reborn one of the most beautiful churches in Lithuania will speak loudest for themselves.
Those wishing to contribute can donate using these details:
Labūnava Divine Providence parish Legal entity code: 191247470 SEB bank account: LT907044060007601338
