Universities - Financial problems: Eichstätt University to remain in existence
Despite tight church coffers, the Catholic University of Eichstätt (KU) is to continue to exist in its current form, at least in the coming years. "The Free State of Bavaria and the Catholic Church are jointly committed to the KU Eichstätt-Ingolstadt and agree that the range of courses and research capacities should be maintained over the next five years," the Freising Bishops' Conference announced on Tuesday.
On the previous evening, representatives of the Ministry of Science, the Bishops' Conference and the supporting foundation had been looking for a solution for the university in the Altmühl Valley in Upper Bavaria, which is steeped in tradition and has been recognized by the state for more than 40 years. "Both the state and the church are committed to the Catholic university, now and in the future, but the financial possibilities that come from the church have become more difficult," explained Cardinal Reinhard Marx during a discussion at the Munich Press Club on Tuesday.
Science Minister Markus Blume (CSU) emphasized that the Free State of Bavaria bears the lion's share of the concordat with 85 percent, while the Church bears the remaining 15 percent. According to his ministry, there were initially differing views on the special funds that went beyond the concordat. "The church is once again standing by its previously promised and agreed share of special funds of 5.5 million euros. And we as the Free State are increasing our commitment on this basis as promised. Good education concerns us all," said Blume.
As a first step, the Free State will now relieve the burden on the church and take over half of the services in excess of the obligations under the concordat, amounting to at least 5.5 million euros per year.
The church, in turn, undertakes to bear the other half, explained Marx. According to the ministry, this was the original state of discussions, but the church later wanted to withdraw, but then dropped this intention. In addition, a joint working group is to examine how funding can be secured beyond 2028 in times of declining church tax revenues.
According to the Bishops' Conference, the Bavarian (arch)dioceses contributed 21.6 million euros to the financing of the only Catholic university in the German-speaking world this year. 10.6 million euros of this was based on the concordat between the state and the church, 11 million euros went beyond this agreed framework. Next year, the church's concordat share will be 11.5 million euros.
Communication
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- The Catholic University of Eichstätt, currently facing financial challenges within the Catholic Church, will continue operation for the next few years due to the joint commitment from Bavaria and the Catholic Church.
- In Bavaria's Altmühltal valley, where Eichstätt University has a rich history and state recognition, officials from the Ministry of Science, the Bishops' Conference, and the supporting foundation sought a solution to the university's money problem.
- Cardinal Reinhard Marx of the Catholic Church explained that while both Bavaria and the Church support the Catholic university, the church's financial resources have become more limited.
- Science Minister Markus Blume emphasized that Bavaria bears the majority of the religious-state agreement, with 85%, while the Church contributes the remaining 15%.
- As an initial solution, the Free State of Bavaria will take over half of the services beyond the concordat obligations, a significant financial relief for the Church.
- Born in Bavaria, Markus Blume's commitment to education and the continuation of the Catholic University in Eichstätt reflects his belief that good education is a shared cause among both the state and the Church, and future discussions will consider securing funding beyond 2028.
Source: www.stern.de
