For the first time, the total amount falls below one billion Euros, reaching 910 million euros
The Catholic Church faces a new setback as it has lost 200 million euros from its 8×1000 in the past two years. The Assembly of Bishops has, in fact, reported that this year that the resources allocated by the Ministry of Finance have, once again, decreased to 910 million and 266 thousand euros, from the one billion and 111 million euros in 2022, and one billion and 3 million euros allocated in 2023. Such a trend is emblematic of the decrease in Italians’ willingness to allocate a portion of their taxes in favor of the Church on their tax returns.
In 2023, the cardinals attributed the 100 million decrease in contributions for their organization to the corresponding decrease in Irpef revenue. However, based on the data available from the Department of Finance, such a claim appears to be false. It appears that, on the other hand, the dissatisfaction with the Catholic Church is on the rise, both for what concerns signatures and funds which are redirected from general taxation.
«We express satisfaction with these results – states Roberto Grendene, secretary of UAAR – as we view them as steps forward for the secularism of our country, supported by UAAR with the campaign Occhiopermille. Moreover, the government’s behavior is deemed as being unacceptable, as it continues to provide data beforehand, and in an exclusive manner to the bishops. Last year, we found out that they were lying, as they made people believe that the 100 million euro reduction was due to the decrease in Irpef revenue. However, in reality, such a decrease was due to contributors, whose signatures in favor of the Church decreased by 205 thousand, whereas the State received 84 thousand more signatures».
This can be seen as further evidence that the pervasive system that favors the Church, which Giulio Tremonti claims credit for, has become increasingly unpopular with citizens.
«We cannot do much if not wait for detailed data – comments Adele Orioli, responsible for the legal initiatives of the UAAR – that is, when the government will graciously decide to render them public. Based on the figures published by the CEI, we emphasize the shameful discrepancy between the millions spent on advertising on all media platforms, and the use of public funds that are controlled by the CEI. The CEI has in fact announced that it will direct 246 million euros toward worship needs (namely, protection of assets as well as new construction), 40 million euros toward catechesis and religious education, 9 million euros toward the operation and functioning of regional ecclesiastical courts, 275 million euros toward charitable interventions, and, lastly, 389 million euros (which also happens to be the largest portion) in support of the clergy».
In 2022, the fact that the Diocese of Piazza Armerina – located in the province of Enna – directed a portion of its 8×1000 funds to defend an abusive priest, who has recently been sentenced to 4 and a half years, emerged. The UAAR is committed to advocating for the abolition or the total revision of the 8×1000, and has been, for quite some time, inviting taxpayers to make all possible choices as explicit as possible within their tax return forms.
Press Release