Financing the Church in Italy: Evolution and Perspectives from the Ecclesial Lens

Abstract

The article describes the essential features of public funding of the Church in Italy, outlined in terms of the 1984 agreement and restricted to three aims : maintenance of the clergy, charitable work in aid of the national community and the third world, running costs related to worship. In the last few years, monies coming from the system of public financing have been channelled towards a number of wideranging objectives. First and foremost, that of an equitable distribution and solidarity within dioceses. Another development objective regards transparency and the public understanding of the Church’s management of its economic resources, as an expression of the active involvement of the whole community.