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Würzburg – The chairman of the diocesan council of Catholics in the diocese of Würzburg, Michael Wolf, has warned against unilateral austerity measures in the Franconian diocese. Against the background of the corona pandemic, the top lay representative expects a higher deficit for this year in an interview with the “Main-Post” (Tuesday). You have to be prepared for that, it cannot go on like this. So far, a minus of around 13 million euros has been planned for 2020.
Criticism of reoccupation
In all main departments it must be checked what can and cannot be done. At the same time, Wolf again criticized a possible reoccupation in the pastoral care department. “Pastoral care is the core business of the church. And if you impose a hiring freeze there and not in other departments, then that is one-sided and tactically extremely awkward. “If there is no refilling there, youth work – the future of the church – will quickly bleed out,” said the chairman of the diocesan council.
A good week ago, the diocese leadership had publicly criticized an extraordinary general meeting of the lay committee. The representative assembly of Caritas also expressed criticism of planned austerity measures, specifically at the Catholic welfare association. In November, the Würzburg Auxiliary Bishop Ulrich Boom surprisingly resigned as head of the pastoral care department. He justified his step with upcoming financial decisions.
Already announced in autumn 2018 austerity measures
At the end of 2019, the diocese recorded a loss of 13.2 million euros in its annual balance for 2018. The diocese has not yet submitted a number for 2019. The management had already announced an austerity course in autumn 2018. There is currently a budget lock in the diocese. A moratorium limits investments in construction to the bare minimum. Like all dioceses in Germany, Würzburg expects the corona pandemic to result in significantly lower church tax revenues. In October, Bishop Franz Jung spoke to the General Assembly of the Diocesan Council of seven million euros less this year. The trend does not look better for 2021 either, said Jung.
kna
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