Diocese of Limburg slips into the deficit for the first time?

Diocese of Limburg slips into the deficit for the first time?

The Catholic diocese of Limburg for the first time in 2024 completed a financial year with a deficit of around 810,000 euros. This is reported by the Hessenschau . The causes of the minus are in higher personnel costs and a decline in church tax revenue. In the previous year there was still an annual surplus of 20.3 million euros, which was primarily made possible by positive interest development.

Vicar General Wolfgang Pax emphasizes that despite the deficit, the diocese is still financially established. Provisions have been strengthened and you work on a household security concept to counter the future loss of income. According to forecasts, the shortfall will increase to more than 100 million euros by 2035.

financial challenges

The revenues of the diocese amounted to 286.9 million euros in 2024, while expenses were significantly higher at EUR 312.4 million. The church tax revenue was around 220 million euros last year, which marks a further decline compared to previous years. The social megatrends, such as demographic change and increasing secularization, also strain the financial framework of the diocese, such as Bistumlimburg.de Complemented.

A strategic project to improve the financial situation was created. In this way, comprehensive planning will be tackled in order to better master the challenges of the next few years. "We have to align budget policy decisions on our church orders," explains Pax.

important institutions in the diocese

The financial difficulties also affect other bodies within the diocese. This becomes evident by the negative final record of the episcopal chair in Limburg with a deficit of 1.66 million euros. On the other hand, the School Foundation of the Diocese of Limburg was able to achieve a balanced result, while the Limburg cathedral chapter generated a slight surplus. A negative result of 0.34 million euros for the school foundation will be reported for 2024. But this was compensated for by reserves.

The financial situation remains tense, so vatican news Loosen creatively to cushion the deficits without the household being directly affected. Nevertheless, the diocese remains true to its social and pastoral obligations, even if the challenges on the financial side grow.