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Diocese of Augsburg: Church tax revenue falls surprisingly sharply!
The Diocese of Augsburg will see declining church tax revenue and a growing budget deficit in 2024. What's next?
Diocese of Augsburg: Church tax revenue falls surprisingly sharply!
There are significant financial changes in the Diocese of Augsburg that are forecast for 2024. The diocese expects revenue of around 390.1 million euros, but the actual amount generated was 369.7 million euros, which represents a decrease compared to 2023, when revenue was still 370.4 million euros. The decline in church tax revenue has a major influence in this context, emphasizes Episcopal Vicar Walter Merkt. This is closely linked to the decline in the number of Catholics in the region, which represents a challenge for the next few years, as diocesan economist Dominikus Kleindienst emphasizes.
With this income, the diocese is facing a budget deficit that will rise from minus 3.7 million euros in 2023 to now minus 11.4 million euros. These figures make it clear that it is necessary to find solutions in the future to ensure the financial stability of the diocese. At the same time, the diocese's assets grow by around 14 million euros to a good 828 million euros, which represents a positive aspect in the overall situation. Church tax funds continue to make up around 83.5 percent of income in the Diocese of Augsburg.
Support for social projects
A look at the use of the funds shows that grants to church foundations and other church institutions amounting to 169.5 million euros are planned for 2024. Compared to 172.1 million euros in the previous year, there was also a decline here. These funds flow into social-charitable projects, educational offerings and the renovation of churches and other facilities, which is of great importance for the common good in the region.
Particularly worth mentioning is the Bavarian supra-diocesan fund, which is contributing 8.1 million euros this year. This sum represents an increase compared to 7.9 million euros in the previous year and supports significant grants to institutions such as the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt and the Catholic Academy in Bavaria.
The numbers at a glance
| post | 2024 (in million euros) | 2023 (in million euros) |
|---|---|---|
| Church tax revenue | 369.7 | 370.4 |
| Budget deficit | -11.4 | -3.7 |
| Diocesan assets | 828 | 814 |
| Grants to institutions | 169.5 | 172.1 |
| Balance sheet total of the Episcopal Lake | 675.4 | 678 |
| Total assets of the cathedral chapter | 3.8 | 3.8 |
Another aspect is the increase in personnel costs within the diocese, which are expected to reach 186.2 million euros in 2024, compared to 172.4 million euros in the previous year. This development contributes to the increasing deficit and must be taken into account in future planning.
Overall, the annual financial statements impressively show where the challenges of the Diocese of Augsburg lie. With the need to merge the number of parishes from around 1,000 to around 200 parish communities by 2025, the loss of importance of the institutional church in a changing society becomes particularly visible. The diocese, which covers 13,700 square kilometers and includes about 1.13 million Catholics, faces an uncertain future.
For further information on the current state of finances reported domradio.de about the financial challenges and development of the diocese. Also on bistum-augsburg.de You can find details about the annual financial statements and financial activities. The developments are undoubtedly of great importance, not only for the church members, but for the wider social structure in the region.