Mátéffy noted that the cost of the project would grow because of the delay.
Work will continue on the exterior of the church next year, causing little interruption to church life. In February, a decision will be taken on the type of technology to be used to restore the tower of the church, which is in a dangerous condition.
Mátéffy said the stones of the tower could be chemically reinforced rather than replaced, as originally planned. He added that this option would not affect costs. The tower will be stabilised from the insider, regardless of the method used to restore it.
The windows of the tower will remain walled up for reasons of stability. Mátéffy noted that it is not the first time the windows have been walled up. During the Baroque era, they were bricked up for decades.
The reconstruction of the church roof will be completed next year. The replacement of all of the 150,000 Zsolnay tiles is going well, as can easily be seen, Mátéffy said.
The renovation of the church's stone façade will also continue in 2008, with the work focusing on the Mary Gate, which contains elements from the Middle Ages, the Gara Chapel, from the 19th century, and the bell tower.
Work on the interior of the church is not expected to start until December 2008. It will begin with renovations of the two museum rooms and the choir.
Mátéffy said the church was unable to cover the costs of buying three new bells and renovating three of its existing bells, so it has applied for monies from the Norwegian Fund.
The entire cost of the church's reconstruction is expected to come to HUF 6.44bn, of which the state will pay the biggest part. In addition to renovating the building itself, the church's organ, stained-glass windows, altars and banners will also be restored.
Source: Múlt-kor / Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
