Catholic Cash Crisis - The Archdiocese of Munich collects fewer church taxes
The Archdiocese of Munich and Freising took in significantly fewer Church taxes in the past year. The total amount decreased to 617 million Euro in 2023, which is 41 million Euro less than in 2022. The overall revenues decreased from 912 million Euro in the previous year to only 856 million Euro in 2023, according to Financial Director Markus Reif. The decline in Church taxes is mainly due to mass resignations from the Church.
General Vicar Christoph Klingan spoke of a "challenging current financial situation" for the Archdiocese. It's now about "setting priorities and cutting back on some things." We "won't be able to do everything we used to." The head of the Archdiocesan Chancery, Stephanie Herrmann, said that the Archdiocese will "examine things, but we're also investing in the future."
"Invest less in stones"
Savings are reportedly to be made primarily on buildings. "At the core, it's about investing our resources mainly in people, less in stones," Herrmann said. "Which buildings will be needed for the ecclesiastical mission in the future and which ones might possibly be used for other purposes? Where can we cooperate with others? How can operating costs be reduced?" This is a challenge that "given the large building debt and the building structure in the Archdiocese, requires a long breath."
Revenue: 835 million Euro, Expenses: 909 million Euro
The Archdiocese also expects challenging numbers for the current year, with revenues of approximately 835 million Euro and expenses of 909 million Euro. To reduce expenses, it will be necessary to draw on reserves.
In the territory of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, 32,874 people left the Catholic Church in 2023 - that's 16,155 resignations and roughly one third fewer than the record year 2022, in which more than half a million people nationwide turned their backs on the Catholic Church.
The Archdiocese of Munich and Freising faced reduced Church taxes in Munich, amounting to 617 million Euro in 2023, a decrease of 41 million Euro from the previous year's 658 million Euro. This decline is primarily attributed to mass resignations from the Church.
The Church exit in Bavaria has led to a challenging financial situation for the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising's Archdiocesan Chancery, leading to discussions about prioritizing spending and possibly repurposing some buildings with high operating costs.
In an effort to balance the budget, the Archdiocese is contemplating reducing expenses in the current year, as the projected revenues of 835 million Euro are outpaced by the projected expenses of 909 million Euro, necessitating the use of reserves.
The Casino collapse in Freising has not directly impacted the finances of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, but the overall economic downturn in Bavaria may have indirectly contributed to the decreased church tax revenues and mass resignations from the Catholic Church.
