Meanwhile, Muslim migrants continue to pour into Germany. We are witnessing a cultural and ethnic transformation of Germany, and all of Europe, the likes of which has not been seen for over a millennium.
“Germany: 10,000 Catholic and Protestant temples expected to close in next decade,” Evangelical Focus, September 19, 2024:
The fall in membership of the two largest Christian institutions in Germany is forcing them to sell or demolish hundreds of temples.
According to an investigation of German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, 603 Roman Catholic temples and 444 worship places of the Evangelical Church of Germany (EKD, the mainline Protestant Church) have been “deconsecrated”, meaning that they would no longer be used for worship services.
In the case of the Protestant Church, the buildings have been either sold or demolished.
By 2033, “every fourth or fifth church [building] will no longer be used for its original purpose”, says architecture professor Stefanie Lieb. She believes this would mean in practice that 10,000 temples will no longer celebrate worship services.
An example of this trend, reports Pro, is that the diocese of Essen already announced in 2006 that it could no longer finance a third of the buildings.
Many of these church buildings have been sold and new owners use them for private business such as restaurants, fitness centres or shops.
The cause: a sharp drop in affiliations
The reason behind everything is the constant fall in the membership of the two churches. The figures of the year 2023 show that the Roman Catholic Church in Germany lost 628,000 members, and the Protestant EKD, 593,000.The main cause are intentional exits of members who no longer identify with these churches. But the negative statistics are also affected by the death of members and the fall in baptisms of newborn.
Tied to this realities is the fall in church taxes, an important income both the Catholic Church and the EKD receive from all of its registered members.
According to German magazine Pro, only in the Southern Land of Bavaria (Bayern), the maintenance of Catholic buildings costs over 100 million euros every year.
Experts have warned about the danger that many historic Christian temples fall in the hands of “greedy investors”….
Tony Rice says
Sadly this is not limited to Germany. France, Sweden and Austria are similarly being affected.
OLD GUY says
And yes there is a major decline in America also. Without religion and I’m not including Islam because it is part of the problem the world will become vary dangerous and evil place.
FYI says
Of course with all the bogus versions of Christianity{“the Unicorns and Rainbows” churches}this is not really surprising
muslims do think islam is winning but it was predicted by Jesus Christ that Christianity would be in decline and so it is actually necessary so as to separate the faithful wheat from the unfaithful chaff Matthew 24 and in the same chapter 24 v 29 you will see it is due back.
Lots of folk don’t go to church.Myself included.But i read the Bible all the time {OT AND NT}especially Biblical Prophecy.
somehistory says
All correct, FYI. Jesus asked, “When the Son of Man arrives, will He really find the Faith on the earth?” and He said, “Due to the increasing lawlessness, the love of the greater number will cool off”
So this is not unexpected by people who actually read and study and try to apply, the Bible to everyday life.
I no longer go to a congregation gathering; but I believe I am closer to God and His Son than when I was going because I saw a lot of hypocrisy from some others. It was discouraging and depressing.
and for any who feel this does not apply to them, that’s okay too. It’s a choice.
mozlums are probably jumping at the chances to buy up churches and convert them for satan’s use as they feel this is part of their warfare and supremacy.
Rufolino says
Agree with you Some history.
Lots of people are feeling that the organized churches aren’t right for them.
For instance people can’t forget the time the Pope slapped a woman in the Piazza San Pietro, and they noticed the recent example of the Pope’s hypocrisy over gay people etc.
People are sometimes finding they need to walk the path of faith alone. In their hearts they are depending for guidance on the Lord Jesus & the Holy Spirit who will never abandon them.
FYI says
To John Smith,Somehistory etc
I wouldn’t worry too much about not being in any church today!
It is a bit like the early church days in 1st century
The organized mainsteam churchs are clearly preaching a false Gospel.This is surely why you have street preachers..
Genuine street preachers are empowered by the Holy Spirit and know the Gospel and Biblical Prophecy:like the Apostles
They will likely use the word “repent” and remind you of the Justice of God, words that you may not hear in any local church as the smiley clergyman tells you how everybody is destined for Heaven anyway… which is false.
You cannot ignore the Justice of God!
James Lincoln says
Rufolino,
Yes, organized churches do not work for all Christians.
Some feel that small Bible study groups work best – or they may go it alone…
somehistory says
thank you, Rufolino. and to FYI,
I have my family and a few friends with whom I can speak, and pray with. Jesus said “Where two or more are gathered together, there I am also.”
We don’t need a huge crowd of people we don’t really know around us to be close to God and His Son.
“Draw close to God, and He will draw close to you.”
somehistory says
I left out an important phrase, “Where two or more are gathered together, in my Name, there I am also.”
Paul wrote “not to forsake the gathering of yourselves together,” but he didn’t say how many it must be. Jesus said, “two or more.”
Ade Fegan says
Who’s to say mosques won’t go the same way ?
(Not that we shouldn’t take reasonable precautions against eventually becoming a caliphate)
࿗Infidel࿘ says
If islam didn’t exist – at least in Europe, and neither did leftist ideologies, then that wouldn’t have been an issue
Unknown guy says
Christianity is in its last leg in europe. In future, I don’t see europe to be christian. If christianity grows, it would be in Asia and Africa. Look at pope francis statement last week in indonesia😭. Embracing of secular leftist ideology, was the seed of destruction for christianity. Europe is gone atleast (western Europe).
gravenimage says
Germany: 10,000 churches expected to close in the next decade
………………………………..
Hey, why not let those nice inciming Muslims use them as Mosques? Sadly not a joke–this will be the fate of all too many of these Churches. I’d rather have them used for raves…
Dani says
Islam, Islam über alles, über alles in der Welt…
(Satire)