Summary
In Germany, the Catholic Church continues to rely on a centuries-old tax system known as the Kirchensteuer, despite repeated calls for its abolition over decades. Introduced in 1935, this system provides revenue to German dioceses beyond just the tax collection. The current form of the Kirchensteuer dates back to when Länder (states) compensated religious communities for confiscated church property during the early 19th century, known as the process of secularization. Despite these historical compensations and ongoing reliance on both taxation and state subsidies, the Church continues to maintain its dependency on this system, which has been in place since 1935. No specific key people or events are mentioned in the original article that could be considered crucial for a summary under these instructions.
Key Topics
Vatican City, Steuern, Säkularisation
