The numbers speak a clear language: what was once a social self -evident becomes increasingly a conscious decision – against an institution that no longer appears up to date for many: the Catholic Church. The trend towards resignation continues, even if it was less in 2024 than in the previous year: 12,713 people left the church in 2024, as the recently published church statistics of the Diocese of Linz shows. A decline, but still high numbers.
- The OÖN reported: Catholic Church records the decline in resignations
Pastor Markus Klepsa from Eggelsberg does not want to give these figures too much meaning: “It is important to me that what we offer is quality,” he says. From October 1st, he becomes the pastor of the large parish “an der Salzach” and looks optimistically into the future: “The numbers reflect the trend in the parishes. There are fewer people who feel belonging to the church. But those who do this are ready to get involved and get involved,” he says.
147 Innviertler entered
The Catholics still predominate, also in the Innviertel: 153,682 Innviertler are Catholic (cut -off date 1.1.2025), according to the diocese. Some who had returned to the Church have agreed again: a total of 147 Innviertler came back in 2024 (2023 there were 81). The reasons for re -entry are diverse. Pastor Markus Klepsa had the experience that many who left at the young age for financial reasons are ready to pay for church tax. “Often when a sponsor is to be taken over. The re -entry is not an issue, and I often see these people again in the parish and at the parish festivals,” reports Klepsa.
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Image: Manfred Fesl
Source: Nachrichten
