In the study, we examine the nature and extent of church presence in the subsystems of the social sphere since 1989 and we also review the evolution of the Hungarian regulations regarding churches, together with financial issues. In this regard, we point out legally problematic phenomena, such as the fact that the current regulation is not sector-neutral, which puts actors outside of the established churches at a serious disadvantage. The situation of the established churches is not reassuring either, as the favorable financial situation can change at any time through the change of the extent of the so called "additional church subsidies". After collecting the cases of unprofessional and/or abusive operation occurring in institutions run by churches in Hungary, we summarise the possible positive aspects of the same phenomenon.