Germany's Bishops Tell Catholics "Pay to Pray;" Warn Rel.Tax Must Be Paid to Have Sacrament

In a religious dilemma that has been referred to by the humorous phrase "pay to pray," Germany's Roman Catholic bishops have warned the faithful that dodging religious taxes can exclude them from church activities such as baptisms and funerals, the Big News Network website reports today (September 30, 2012).

Religious taxes are paid in Germany as a percentage of income to support churches and synagogues, and the tight European economy has prompted an increasing number of Germans to drop out of their churches to avoid the tax.

That has not set well with the bishops, who said in an official decree that not paying the taxes was "a serious mistake."

The decree will be followed up by a form letter that will be sent to unofficially lapsed Catholics, reminding them they have to be all in if they want to take advantage of the church's sacraments.