The diocese wants to save 15 million euros by 2030. The most recent balance sheet deficit is 800,000 euros, with total expenditure of 114 million euros, not a huge sum, but a problem in the long term – more on that in Diocese of Graz-Seckau is in the red (8/10/2022). The cost pressure is great. Because even if the number of churchgoers has increased slightly following two years of coronavirus, and with it the income from the Sunday collection, the diocese of Graz-Seckau says that they are still far from the pre-coronavirus level. Now you want to save one and a half million euros every year.
Churches will not be sold, but may be shared
The approximately 2,000 buildings – churches, parish offices and much more – are to be reduced. “This raises the question of whether we can maintain this number of buildings in the long term or whether the demand will be there. Here we always try to find a solution with the affected parish community, with the population, when there is a situation when a building in its current form is no longer necessary. As for the churches, it’s definitely not an issue to sell the churches. But there are one or two considerations, where it is also important in terms of ecumenism to also offer other Christian faith communities in Styria a home.”
Do not refill with personnel
The number of around 1,500 employees should be reduced if possible, says the Economic Director of the Diocese of Graz-Seckau, Andreas Ehart. According to Ehard, this will be attempted through natural departures, retirements and not filling vacancies. If it doesn’t work out, you have to consider whether you have to reduce one or the other service or offer.
Church contributions: increase not excluded
You also do not want to rule out that there might be an increase in the church contribution. “The church contribution must always be increased at least enough to adequately compensate for inflation. Here we have generally always stayed below the inflation rate. We will also try to continue to do so. But it will not work without structural changes.” In general, however, this is a sensitive issue, because right now one is confronted with believers who are asking for a reduction in the church contribution.
The pressure to save is likely to increase. The number of believers is falling and in the next balance sheet inflation and the various increases in costs for the diocese will have a full impact.
