Faroese government rejects church funding over parish shortfall

The Faroese government will not grant a construction permit for a new church in Argir, as the local parish lacks the required one-third of the building costs, minister Bárður á Lakjuni confirmed Monday.

The decision follows a question from MP Fróði Magnussen, who had sought clarification on the stalled project. Under Faroese law, a church cannot be sold at a forced auction, leaving the entire Faroese Church responsible for any debt incurred by the construction, the minister stated.

Funds from the sale of the old Argir church will be held by the church council until January 1, 2028, but cannot cover the parish’s mandatory one-third share of the new build. Without this financial commitment, the permit cannot be issued.