The Kirchensteuer “church tax” is not one that belongs to theology (a stretch from Romans 13:6-7). But there might be a much stronger canonical case for it. There was a time when some cathedrals had jails — the story of Richard Hunne in England (1514) is thought to have hastened popular support for reformation in London. But it is fair t…
The Kirchensteuer “church tax” is not one that belongs to theology (a stretch from Romans 13:6-7). But there might be a much stronger canonical case for it. There was a time when some cathedrals had jails — the story of Richard Hunne in England (1514) is thought to have hastened popular support for reformation in London. But it is fair to suggest that pretty much every culture debates when to withhold sacraments— and there are about as many ways of doing this as there are particular churches. The disciplines are thought to help encourage people recognize the necessity of supporting the Church or attending church. It keeps the family together, for a time, and quite effectively. Then a new method is always needed. Ultimately, theologians leave the best way to foster this discipline (which belongs to a particular place and time) to the canon lawyers. In my diocese near DC, I’m working with a rather substantial number of individuals who were disciplined a bit too harshly. And so I’m helping them slowly slowly find the beauty of this diocese again, and to see it rooted in sacramental life.
The Kirchensteuer “church tax” is not one that belongs to theology (a stretch from Romans 13:6-7). But there might be a much stronger canonical case for it. There was a time when some cathedrals had jails — the story of Richard Hunne in England (1514) is thought to have hastened popular support for reformation in London. But it is fair to suggest that pretty much every culture debates when to withhold sacraments— and there are about as many ways of doing this as there are particular churches. The disciplines are thought to help encourage people recognize the necessity of supporting the Church or attending church. It keeps the family together, for a time, and quite effectively. Then a new method is always needed. Ultimately, theologians leave the best way to foster this discipline (which belongs to a particular place and time) to the canon lawyers. In my diocese near DC, I’m working with a rather substantial number of individuals who were disciplined a bit too harshly. And so I’m helping them slowly slowly find the beauty of this diocese again, and to see it rooted in sacramental life.