“This decree makes clear that one cannot partly leave the Church.”
~Statement from the Church
There are approximately 25 million Catholics in Germany or 30% of all Germans. Any German who is registered as a Protestant, Catholic or Jew must pay an additional 8 to 9% tax towards the church. With hemorrhaging membership thanks to the coverup by the Catholic church of pedophiles within the church … Germans are leaving in mass just like Catholics of all nationalities around the world. This is creating financial pressures for the Catholic church, so the church has decided to take a hard line – pay us or God won’t protect you. And a German court ruled this completely lawful.
I’m still waiting to hear from the Church which part of the bible they used to justify these actions. I do not understand how people can look at the history of Catholicism and not be turned off. But – to each unto his own. Regardless – I think most Catholics would find the notion that somehow God won’t protect them if they don’t pay their church tax very offensive. Withholding access to sacraments is particularly hurtful. The Church won’t even let you be a godparent if you are on the black list.
The BBC has the news HERE:
Hartmut Zapp, a retired professor of church law, filed a legal challenge in 2007, arguing that under Catholic doctrine, Church membership was determined by a person’s beliefs and not by a financial relationship.
The Freiburg University academic said he wanted to continue praying and receiving Holy Communion without paying the religious levy. Judges at the Leipzig Federal Administrative Court, however, disagreed with Prof Zapp and ruled that there could not be partial Church membership.
Their verdict follows a new bishops’ decree issued last week, according to which anyone failing to pay the tax will no longer have the right to Holy Communion and religious burial.
Already alarmed by declining congregation numbers, the bishops were also pushed into action by Mr Zapp’s legal challenge. They said refusal to pay Church tax should be seen as a serious act against the community.
The Telegraph explains how this affects the average Catholic in Germany HERE:
Wavering Catholics will now be sent letters reminding them of the consequences of avoiding the church tax, including losing access to all sacraments.
“Maybe you haven’t considered the consequences of your decision and would like to reverse this step,” a draft of the letter states.
Protestants have taken a less stern position, saying non-taxpayers are still welcome to attend services and take communion. But becoming a godparent, getting married in a church or taking a job in church-affiliated institutions such as hospitals or kindergartens are off-limits to those who stop paying their taxes.
Well – in 2001 – according to an economic report by the Vatican …. income for the Catholic Church was 422 Billion (source). That’s billion with a B. Now – they spent 404 billion so they were only able to save 18 billion that year. That YEAR. It’s a business. Just think about that.
