German Catholics to be denied Communion under church tax rule

In a move decried by a progressive Catholic group, the German bishops' conference last week issued a decree, saying it was "worried" about the Catholic Church's dwindling numbers and wanted to stem the drop. Confession, the Eucharist, confirmation in the Church or anointing of the sick – unless the patient's life is in danger – are now out of bounds for anyone who leaves the Church, the decree, which took effect Monday, stated. Becoming a godparent is also off limits, it said. Germany has had a system in place since the 19th century asking residents to either officially declare their religion and pay a church tax, or to be classed as "non-religious". The levy amounts to between eight and 10 per cent of income tax, depending on where the person lives.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/9563069/German-Catholics-to-be-denied-Communion-under-church-tax-rule.html