- The Diocese of Osnabrück has made specific savings plans
Under the impact of declining church tax revenues, the Catholic Diocese of Osnabrück has specified its savings plans presented at the beginning of the year. According to the current projections on membership numbers and church tax developments, the diocese will have around 11.4 million euros less available in the years 2025 to 2027 compared to the supplementary budget for 2023, the diocese announced.
Additionally, the diocese must save around 33.3 million euros in this period. A deficit of 8.3 million euros is already factored into the 2024 budget, which has a volume of around 200 million euros.
Personnel cuts
Several working groups have developed savings plans in recent months, it was reported. However, only measures that do not change the structure of the diocese can currently be implemented. Since the resignation of Bishop Franz-Josef Bode last year, the diocese has been led only by a diocesan administrator. Bishop Dominicus Meier will not take up his post until September 8.
The savings plans include cuts to the personnel budget. A ban on the external refilling of open positions has been imposed, and 10% of the current staffing levels are to be reduced by 2027. More Catholic parish associations are to be established.
Basic decisions next year
Savings are also necessary in the area of marriage, life, and family counseling: the offer is to be reduced by 2027 and new strategic concepts are to be developed. These are to form the basis for fundamental decisions to be made under the leadership of the new bishop from next year.
The Diocese of Osnabrück covers the area from East Friesland via the Emsland and the Osnabrück region to Bremen. Around half a million Catholics live in it.
The Catholic Diocese of Osnabrück is projected to have around 11.4 million euros less in funds from 2025 to 2027, due to declining church tax revenues and membership numbers. The diocese, currently led by a diocesan administrator, has implemented personnel cuts as part of its savings plans, including a ban on filling open positions externally and reducing staffing levels by 10%.
