State support for the Western and Central European Diocese will continue, it was announced after the meeting of Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov with His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe. "We appreciate what you are doing. The Bulgarian state is receptive to our mission," Metropolitan Anthony told the Prime Minister. 

He described the purchase of St Cyril and Methodius Church in Stuttgart as a "historic moment" for the Bulgarian community. In September this year, the Council of Ministers allocated some €255,000, bringing the total state support to almost €613,000, according to the government information service. In June, Metropolitan Anthony of Western and Central Europe and Monsignor Christian Hermes of the Diocese of Rothenburg - Stuttgart of the Catholic Church signed a contract for the purchase and sale of St Boniface's Cathedral in Stuttgart. The purchase of the temple was made entirely with funds from the state budget of the Republic of Bulgaria, through the Directorate for Religious Affairs, reports BTA.

Metropolitan Anthony briefed the Prime Minister on the progress of the reconstruction and extension of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church of St Ivan Rilski in London. The Bulgarian state has already provided more than 400 000 euro, but additional funds are needed. According to acad. Nikolay Denkov, the state will provide further support for the completion of the project. Financing is planned in the budget for 2024. Metropolitan Antony of Western and Central Europe noted that the state was making a valuable gift to the Bulgarian community in London by solving the problem of providing a temple as a spiritual home for Bulgarians in London.