spain to tax the catholic church's properties?

Calypso1977

of interest.

http://news.yahoo.com/amid-economic-crisis-spain-ponders-taxing-catholic-church-092208656.html 

newlyseliski

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_spain-to-tax-the-catholic-churchs-properties?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:615Discussion:3784b0f8-6466-40b9-8024-1b4c670aaac0Post:36e5c764-9643-4243-acff-d59ff3a0d2ba">spain to tax the catholic church's properties?</a>:
[QUOTE]of interest. <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/amid-economic-crisis-spain-ponders-taxing-catholic-church-092208656.html" rel="nofollow">http://news.yahoo.com/amid-economic-crisis-spain-ponders-taxing-catholic-church-092208656.html</a>  
Posted by Calypso1977[/QUOTE]

<div>I think that would probably force most of them to close as church attendance in almost all Christian denominations (and likely donations as well) are ridiculously low throughout Europe... kinda defeats the purpose.  Sadly, most Catholic churches in Europe are probably more tourist destinations than vibrant parish communities.  I think it's reasonable to tax properties that are used more for commercial/for-profit enterprises... but would draw the line at the residences for clergy and religious.  It may be a bit of a stretch for the Spanish government to claim that all priest and bishop residences are lavish and extravagent.  </div>

lalaith50

I think it's annoying that the article used the example of a church property being used as a restaurant to try and get people to think that it's ridiculous the church isn't taxed- that's probably the most extreme example in the entire country! And the only example of where that's happening. 

Agree with Newly about the distinction between for-profit enterprises and religious residences...