Posted on 09/24/2012 1:17:52 PM PDT by Dr. Thorne
Confession is refused according to the reporting that I have seen.
“Confession, the Eucharist, confirmation in the Church or anointing of the sick – unless the patient’s life is in danger – are now out of bounds”
Not really.
For a few people, the church tax is millions of euros. For many it is just a few euros or nothing at all (i.e. they did not make enough money to pay taxes, therefore they made no contribution).
If the bishops were saying that the Church required a minimum monetary contribution, I would say that you had a point.
But the bishops are more than willing to accommodate the faithful who have nothing to give. It is an issue of those deliberately refusing to support the Church as a matter of principle, as opposed to some kind of membership fee.
Those churches are free to adopt their own policy, of course, but they also are dealing with the same issues.
When the churches get into bed with the state they must be paid.
I wonder how the magnificence will compare to the magnificence of New York’s St. Patrick’s cathedral after they spend over a sixth of a BILLION dollars on renovations.
I can’t be sure, but I think that you are agreeing with my statement that “”So it does only apply to Catholic churches then, the Christian, non-Catholic churches will still interact with non-payers of the tax.””
They could legally do like the Catholic denomination is, but they don’t, they still interact with Christians who come to them.
That would be the key phrase, wouldn't it? People in extremis would not be denied the sacraments - which would be contrary to canon law.
Also, since confession is anonymous, there is no legitimate way to verify.
And, in practical terms, it comes down to issues like marriages and funerals. Why should a couple who supports the Church be pushed aside in favor of a couple who just want to use it as a pretty backdrop?
Why should a scarce plot in a parish churchyard be given to someone who never bothered to support the Church, but a devout believer be crowded into a public cemetery?
Their policy, by the nature of their church polity, is set on a pastor by pastor basis.
One cannot point to a press release that enjoins every Evangelical congregation.
There are certain ones in Germany where membership is exclusive and almost hereditary, and others which are happy to have anyone - no matter how little commitment they have - show up for a wedding.
I’m thinking that these Bishops may be wrong, but I have no idea about the German system.
Sacraments need not be denied on account of money. Something is wrong with this picture in my mind.
The Lord hears the cry of the poor. Blessed be the Lord.
Since they are shrinking away, it seems unlikely that they are having to push people aside to squeeze in non-paying Catholics.
I don’t know how a Priest can determine with certainty whether a baptized Catholic is in danger of dying from illness, or whether he should even be trying to do so, over taxes.
Confession though, seems like a tough thing to withhold from a desperate Catholic.
See post 22.
This has absolutely nothing to do with the poor, who are the ones who are being defrauded by the freeloaders the bishops are targeting.
It is very difficult to make out what the intended meaning of your posts are.
I think that you agree that only the Catholics are restricting non-payers, that the non -Catholic Christians, are not, as far as we know?
It is not a matter of physical space. It is a matter of limited resources.
I don’t know how a Priest can determine with certainty whether a baptized Catholic is in danger of dying from illness, or whether he should even be trying to do so, over taxes.
The common sense rule of thumb, perhaps? He is in the hospital/hospice and he is requesting the sacraments? As opposed to the guy who walks into the rectory asking to see if the Church can fit the wedding Mass into his caterer's schedule?
Confession though, seems like a tough thing to withhold from a desperate Catholic.
As I pointed out, it can't be withheld, because those confessing are entitled to anonymity.
I am also saying that the Evangelical churches do not have nearly as unitary a structure, and also that I have not taken a survey of individual Evangelical congregations.
We don’t know that they have limited resources, they probably are not having to withdraw these events from Catholics because they are too busy, especially when they tell us that it is about the payment of the tax.
I don’t know how a Priest can determine with certainty whether a baptized Catholic is in danger of dying from illness, or whether he should even be trying to do so, over taxes.
The Catholic church IS withholding confession according to the reports, it is their intent to withhold confession.
“The Church does not enjoy being beholden to the state.”
Then the Church should stop collecting their taxes. I wouldn’t contribute either if I knew that my tax dollars were going to fund abortion services in Germany.
“A termination on criminal or medical grounds is paid by health insurance (Krankenkasse) and the state (Bundesland).”
“Abortion may be carried out up until the 22nd week of pregnancy where the life of the pregnant woman is in danger, or her physical or mental health”
The bishop will have to answer to God for his righteous servants submission to Christ.
Why work so hard to not admit that the facts are about the Catholic church, and as far as we know, doesn’t apply to any other denomination?
It seems a strange tactic, where no tactic at all, belongs.
The state and the church are one.
Long Live the Holy Roman Empire.
Disgusting.
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