Fight for money: Archdiocese of Berlin defies falling church numbers!

Fight for money: Archdiocese of Berlin defies falling church numbers!

The church tax in the Archdiocese of Berlin faces a crucial hurdle. Since 2015, the Catholic Church there has seen a decline in membership from 409,000 to 350,000. This is part of a larger trend that the entire Catholic Church in Germany is experiencing: overall, it has lost 20% of its members since 2015. Despite this worrying development, the Archdiocese of Berlin has invested record assets on the capital market, which raises the question: What will happen next with church finances?

The archdiocese's financial report shows that the average annual surplus since 2020 has been an astonishing 50 million euros. In addition, church tax revenue increased from 108 million euros in 2013 to 168 million euros in the last balance sheet. A look at the numbers makes the challenge clear: with an average of 474 euros in church tax per Catholic in 2018, church tax contributes significantly to the financing of the archdiocese. After all, 34% of this income goes to pastoral care, while 23% is used for schools and daycare centers and 29% for administration. This makes it clear how important this income is in times of declining membership numbers.

New version of the church tax regulations

The new church tax regulations of the Archbishop of Berlin bring about a significant change in the administration and collection of church tax. This stipulates that tax liability for members of the Catholic Church residing in the Archdiocese of Berlin begins as soon as they are accepted into the church or establish their place of residence. But what applies in the event of a move or a declaration of resignation? The tax liability then ends at the end of the calendar month in which you give up your place of residence. In times of severe decline in membership, this aspect is of particular importance.

The church tax takes various forms, including the church tax on income, the minimum church tax and the special church fee in marriages of different faiths. These regulations are intended to cover not only the expenses of the archdiocese, but also those of the parishes and other Catholic institutions. And although tax revenues continue to rise, the tide could be turning: forecasts show a possible halving of membership by 2060, which could also have an impact on the church's financial base.

The challenges of membership decline

However, there is a little hope for the church: despite the decline in membership, the finances show a certain stability. There will be an increase in church tax revenue in 2022, which was recorded at 6.73 billion euros. At the same time, the trend of withdrawals is alarming: in 2022, over 522,000 people left the Catholic Church alone, which is a record high. This cannot be denied: society will feel the consequences of this wave of withdrawals, as many social institutions rely on these donations.

Overall, the Archdiocese of Berlin remains in a tense situation in which it is important to ensure its ability to act despite the dramatic decline in membership. The planned merger of 97 parishes to 35 by 2026 is a step in this direction. The decision to give up some of around 800 properties or to use them differently also shows how serious the situation is. As the church works to build its financial foundation, the future of congregational ministry will continue to rely on membership composition.

The course for the future has thus been set. Given the declining number of members and the resulting pressure on church finances, it remains to be seen whether the Archdiocese of Berlin can overcome the current challenges. What is clear, however, is that the archdiocese must mobilize all resources to find a sustainable course for the next few years. Time will tell whether the archdiocese can navigate these stormy waters with a good hand.

Further information about the church tax regulations can be found on the website Archdiocese of Berlin. A detailed look at the impact of declining membership on church finances is provided by Sunday paper provided. It also provides information about the current status of church finances RBB24.