Maarten Forceville, a candidate for the leadership of the christian-democrat CD&V party, has called for an immediate halt to the repurposing of church buildings in Flanders.
He argues that these churches are more than mere structures. "They are the beating heart of communities, embodying faith, tradition, and community spirit". According to Forceville, the ongoing trend of repurposing churches could result in the loss of a significant part of Flanders’ religious history.
Nearly 15 years ago, Flanders began repurposing parish churches due to declining church attendance, increasing vacancies, and the high costs of maintenance and restoration. In recent years, more churches have been converted into venues like banquet halls, market spaces, or even residences.
Forceville, the sole contender against Sammy Mahdi in the CD&V leadership race, finds this trend troubling. He believes churches are not just properties to be reassigned for profit, but rather spaces of meeting, comfort, and faith. “In repurposing churches, we are cutting into our own roots,” he explains.
Forceville warns that what is sacrificed today cannot be reclaimed tomorrow, advocating for a policy that maintains churches as central to societal fabric. He suggests working with parish communities to revitalise churches, respecting their religious and historical significance. “We need rejuvenation, not repurposing,” he concludes.
