I knew about the church tax, but did not realize that parishes would not baptize or perform the other sacraments unless you paid the tax. This seems, how shall we say, not super evangelical and doesn't seem to be too far off from selling the sacraments. Would be interested in reading or listening on the podcast if anyone in the church/Vatican has commented on this practice of denying the sacraments to non-payers.
"It is beyond the scope of this analysis to suggest that the pressing demographic realities of the Church in Germany are setting its theological and ecclesiastical agenda."
This seems strangely put: what is the point of this article if not to suggest exactly that?
Moreover, I think it's a point that's worth suggesting. I had been aware of the church tax and how it operates in Germany (possibly due to earlier articles from The Pillar), but I hadn't realized that Germany's priestly population was in such sharp decline. That definitely adds context to the fact that the German church is pushing for things like married or female priests. Previously I had just assumed it was part of the whole make-the-church-more-palatable-so-we-don't-lose-our-revenue-stream mindset.
“committed to the service of society like hardly any other in Europe.”
That may be the problem. A spiritually hollowed Organisation tries to find new meaning because it has forgotten the old one. Chesterton‘s fences and all that.
Også, the GCC with all its money and bureaucratic/organisational apparatus has an enormous number of laypeople working for it. Those will have an influence in the Bishops‘ minds on what‘s important: getting the bread on the table or getting the bread in the mouth?
I go to Germany reasonably regularly, or at least I used to. Compared to England the Church is insanely wealthy, just the quality of the building tells you that immediately. But it has always struck me as a comfortable, low-energy, bourgeois kind of thing. I think there is a lot to be spat out of the Lord’s mouth, if you know what I mean.
Would be nice to have a good article about Germany every so often. Most of the articles seem to be pointing out the problems with the German church. While their issues that are newsworthy do tend to pertain to "bad" things, it would be nice seeing something pointing to the good they do, especially maybe showing where they spend all their money? I know this article is mainly just data reporting and analyzing.
"He who pays the piper calls the tune," as the saying goes. As this piece points out, the Catholic families in the German pews who believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church are no more important from a revenue perspective than the lukewarm Catholics who turn up once or twice a year at best. In fact, the faithful Catholics actually are likely *less* important than the nominal Catholics as the latter group is so much larger. Thus, we see the perverse incentives existing in German Catholicism to pander to barely affiliated near-apostates to keep them in the fold for revenue purposes.
I would be interested to know from a Canon Law perspective, how the requirement to pay the Church take lest the sacraments be denied would square with prohibitions on simony
This is a disaster of enormous proportions and promises much more mischief in the future. When the Church (or pretty much any institution) can make more money while reducing its members, vocations and activity- the consequent inversion of priorities will produce a church such as Germany. Overfed, materialistic flaccid and decadent. What a surprise such a Church cares not a whit for the beauty and wisdom of our ancient faith, but pursues the comfortably woke agenda that their government supports. With men like Kasper, dismissing Africans in the German arrogance of old. And if you be one of those irredeemable non-payers of your tax, the Body of Christ is denied you, while there is not even a discussion about giving the Eucharist to baby-killers. Kasper and Lehman tried help their government to force pro-life counselors to counsel for abortion. The Nazis have gone, but Weimer remains.
Interesting how a government subsidy of the Church can lead to its minimization. Should the German Church direct all its members to pay the 30 Euros and switch to contributions. It might lead to greater personal commitment, though less funding.
I knew about the church tax, but did not realize that parishes would not baptize or perform the other sacraments unless you paid the tax. This seems, how shall we say, not super evangelical and doesn't seem to be too far off from selling the sacraments. Would be interested in reading or listening on the podcast if anyone in the church/Vatican has commented on this practice of denying the sacraments to non-payers.
Well when you infuse church and state like this you get this stupidity
"It is beyond the scope of this analysis to suggest that the pressing demographic realities of the Church in Germany are setting its theological and ecclesiastical agenda."
This seems strangely put: what is the point of this article if not to suggest exactly that?
Moreover, I think it's a point that's worth suggesting. I had been aware of the church tax and how it operates in Germany (possibly due to earlier articles from The Pillar), but I hadn't realized that Germany's priestly population was in such sharp decline. That definitely adds context to the fact that the German church is pushing for things like married or female priests. Previously I had just assumed it was part of the whole make-the-church-more-palatable-so-we-don't-lose-our-revenue-stream mindset.
“committed to the service of society like hardly any other in Europe.”
That may be the problem. A spiritually hollowed Organisation tries to find new meaning because it has forgotten the old one. Chesterton‘s fences and all that.
Også, the GCC with all its money and bureaucratic/organisational apparatus has an enormous number of laypeople working for it. Those will have an influence in the Bishops‘ minds on what‘s important: getting the bread on the table or getting the bread in the mouth?
I go to Germany reasonably regularly, or at least I used to. Compared to England the Church is insanely wealthy, just the quality of the building tells you that immediately. But it has always struck me as a comfortable, low-energy, bourgeois kind of thing. I think there is a lot to be spat out of the Lord’s mouth, if you know what I mean.
Very interesting and informative article which goes to the point; follow the money.
Wowza, I knew they had a ton of money....but this is MANY tons of money...staggering really.
Would be nice to have a good article about Germany every so often. Most of the articles seem to be pointing out the problems with the German church. While their issues that are newsworthy do tend to pertain to "bad" things, it would be nice seeing something pointing to the good they do, especially maybe showing where they spend all their money? I know this article is mainly just data reporting and analyzing.
"He who pays the piper calls the tune," as the saying goes. As this piece points out, the Catholic families in the German pews who believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church are no more important from a revenue perspective than the lukewarm Catholics who turn up once or twice a year at best. In fact, the faithful Catholics actually are likely *less* important than the nominal Catholics as the latter group is so much larger. Thus, we see the perverse incentives existing in German Catholicism to pander to barely affiliated near-apostates to keep them in the fold for revenue purposes.
I would be interested to know from a Canon Law perspective, how the requirement to pay the Church take lest the sacraments be denied would square with prohibitions on simony
This is a disaster of enormous proportions and promises much more mischief in the future. When the Church (or pretty much any institution) can make more money while reducing its members, vocations and activity- the consequent inversion of priorities will produce a church such as Germany. Overfed, materialistic flaccid and decadent. What a surprise such a Church cares not a whit for the beauty and wisdom of our ancient faith, but pursues the comfortably woke agenda that their government supports. With men like Kasper, dismissing Africans in the German arrogance of old. And if you be one of those irredeemable non-payers of your tax, the Body of Christ is denied you, while there is not even a discussion about giving the Eucharist to baby-killers. Kasper and Lehman tried help their government to force pro-life counselors to counsel for abortion. The Nazis have gone, but Weimer remains.
Interesting how a government subsidy of the Church can lead to its minimization. Should the German Church direct all its members to pay the 30 Euros and switch to contributions. It might lead to greater personal commitment, though less funding.
Hmmm... requiring you pay to receive Sacraments... isn't there a name for that practice? Canon 1380 anyone?