Administrative Measures for Registration, Cancellation of Religious Activity Venues in Zhejiang Comes Into Effect

近日，浙江省民宗委研究制定了《浙江省宗教活动场所设立登记和注销管理办法（试行）》，2022年1月1日施行。

根据2017年修订的《宗教事务条例》《浙江省宗教事务条例》《宗教团体管理办法》等法规规章规定，文件包含17条，主要内容涵盖制定文件目的、适用范围、管理原则、设立条件、设立程序、提供材料、登记发证、注销条件、注销程序、依法注销、财产清算和信息化管理。

设立程序分为筹备设立、设立许可、登记发证等三个步骤（每一步细化办理和材料要求，操作性强，并规定未经设立许可，宗教事务部门不得予以登记）。

注销登记包含宗教团体申请注销和宗教事务部门依法注销两种情形。

《办法》第十条规定：宗教团体未按本办法规定申请办理注销登记手续，在宗教事务部门告知其应在规定期限内依法办理后，仍未在规定期限内依法办理的，原登记管理机关可以依法予以注销登记。第十一条规定：宗教事务部门按照《宗教事务条例》规定对宗教活动场所依法作出吊销登记证书的行政处罚生效后，应当通知宗教团体在规定期限内办理注销登记手续；未在规定期限内依法办理的，原登记管理机关可以依法予以注销登记。

办理宗教活动场所注销登记时，应当进行财产清算，厘清债权债务和剩余财产。属于宗教团体或者宗教活动场所的合法剩余财产，由相应宗教团体用于与其宗旨相符的事业；非法占有和使用的，依照相关法律法规处置。宗教活动场所注销登记后，其原有的房屋、建筑不能再以宗教活动场所名义开展宗教活动。

http://www.fuyinshibao.cn/article/index/id/60001

Recently, the Zhejiang Ethnic and Religious Affairs Commission formulated the "Administrative Measures for the Registration and Cancellation of Religious Activity Venues in Zhejiang Province (for Trial Implementation)", which took effect on January 1, 2022.

The measures are enacted based on the Regulations on Religious Affairs revised in 2017, the Regulations on Religious Affairs of Zhejiang Province launched in 2019, and the Administrative Measures for Religious Groups which came into force in 2020, according to the State Administration for Religious Affairs. The document contains 17 articles, mainly covering the purpose of the measures, scope of application, management principles, establishment conditions, establishment procedures, provision of materials, registration and issuance, conditions for cancellation, cancellation procedures, cancellation according to law, property liquidation, and information management.

The establishment procedure is divided into three steps: preparation for the establishment, establishment permit, registration, and issuance of certificates. (Each step is detailed and practical according to the requirements of the document. It is stipulated that the religious affairs department shall not agree to register if the religious groups haven’t gained establishment permission.)

Cancellation of registration includes two cases: cancellation by religious affairs departments in accordance with law and religious groups applying for cancellation.

Article 10 of the Measures reads, "If a religious organization fails to apply for cancellation of registration in accordance with the Measures and still fails to do so within the prescribed time limit after being informed by the religious affairs department, the original registration management agency may cancel its registration in accordance with the law."

The following article adds, "After its administrative penalty of revoking the registration certificate of religious activity sites in accordance with the Regulations on Religious Affairs takes effect, the religious affairs department shall notify the religious organization to go through the procedures for cancellation of registration within the specified time limit. The original registration management agency may cancel the registration according to the law if it fails to do so within the prescribed time limit. "

When handling the cancellation of the registration, property liquidation shall be carried out to clarify the creditor’s rights, debts, and remaining property. The legal surplus property belonging to a religious group, or a religious activity site shall be used by the corresponding religious groups for undertakings consistent with its purpose; if it is illegally possessed and used, it shall be disposed of in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. After the registration of a religious activity site is canceled, its original houses and buildings can no longer be used for religious activities in the name of a religious activity venue.

- Translated by Abigail Wu