The leaning church steeple in Germany (Image courtesy of Telegraph)

German churches unable to maintain their buildings

According to information released by the Christian organization Evangelischen Akademikerschaft, about six thousand Christian churches in Germany are financially unable to maintain their church buildings, Christian Telegraph reports.

This number represents about 15% of all Catholic and Protestant churches in the country. Among the main reasons for the insolvency of so many churches are lowered attendance rates and the reduction of church taxes, government monies earmarked for distribution to churches, in Germany.

In order allow churches to keep their buildings, Evangelischen Akademikerschaft has offered to use them for libraries, concert halls and restaurants. This would enable the churches to collect rental fees to pay for their buildings. Manfred Shonberg, an architectural psychologist, says that church administrators are often reticent to use the church building for profit. “But they should learn to do that,” he says. “It would take quite a long time and a lot of patience, but they should try. It would really help.”

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[03/30/2008]

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