German church spokesman says $150 million debt forced church closures

Published: 2004-05-18

OXFORD, England (CNS) -- A spokesman for Germany's Berlin Archdiocese said a $150 million debt forced the sale of churches and pastoral centers. However, a senior Polish priest said the archdiocese was limiting pastoral work among foreign Catholic communities. The archdiocesan spokesman, Stefan Forner, said the archdiocese was forced to cut across-the-board to eliminate the $150 million debt, not just among non-German communities. "The Polish mission gives the impression it's only Polish Catholics who face problems here. In reality, we've all had to cut back and adjust to new realities," Forner told Catholic News Service. The Berlin Archdiocese announced plans in 2003 to close or merge 101 of its 207 parishes. Among the parishes to be closed was St. Jan Kapistran, which celebrated three Polish Masses each Sunday.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .