Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Madrid (Agenzia Fides) – “In education, the Church allows the state to save more than 4 billion euros," noted Diego Zalbidea, Professor of Canon Law at the University of Navarra, during the 26th Refresher Course in Canon Law. Zalbidea also stressed that the Church in Spain "is supported by her faithful and other citizens who appreciate her contribution to society." According to the Spanish Bishops' Conference, "in the Church, every euro is worth 2.73 times the one on the market." The Church does not seek compensation for her work, as it is not motivated by money but by fidelity to the mission entrusted to her by her founder, Jesus Christ. "What we can ask from the State - said Prof. Zalbidea - is support for the implementation of her activities that benefit the entire society."
The expert noted that the system established in 2007 to finance the work of the Church "has made the faithful realize the need for their contribution" and "this new situation has been tackled with maturity and generosity by Catholics and by many citizens who have recognized the Church's contribution to society." However, he stated that "the tax contribution represents only 25% of the revenues of the dioceses and this percentage also varies according to each of them. In the budget of the Archdiocese of Pamplona-Tudela, for example, the tax contribution is less than 16%."
Finally, Prof. Diego Zalbidea reported that over the past two years, Caritas has doubled the number of persons receiving care and its supporters have increased proportionately. He then cited as an example the population of Navarra, which has increased its aid to the Church in 2009 by almost € 3 million, in comparison to the previous year. "The Pope said a few days ago, in Barcelona, that Christians must demonstrate through concrete actions that charity is part of our condition as Christians," Zalbidea noted in concluding. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 19/11/2010)
