Court says Catholic church tax can fund family planning centre
Catholics in eastern Switzerland have been helping to fund a family planning centre.
Keystone
A Swiss Catholic diocese has lost a legal battle to withdraw funding from a counselling centre that offers family planning advice. The Swiss Federal Court ruled that the funding did not violate church law or religious freedom.
The dispute dates back to a 2012 budget decision by the regional Catholic church to give the centre CHF15,000 ($15,100) – on the condition that the money would not be used in connection with abortions, advice on abortions, or the ‘morning after’ pill.
But the diocese – which oversees parishes in Graubünden as well as in cantons Zurich, Glarus, Nidwalden, Obwalden Schwyz and Uri – took exception. Arguing that the Roman Catholic Church disapproved of the funding, it approached both the Graubünden regional church and later the Graubünden Administrative Court. Both rejected the diocese’s request to withdraw the support, so the diocese took the case to the federal level.
On Wednesday, federal judges ruledExternal link that helping a family planning centre did not violate state church law or religious freedom. As the court pointed out, the funds came from the local community of Catholics – and not from the Roman Catholic Church. It added that the condition excluding abortion-related services tackled the concerns of the religious leaders.
In Switzerland, the authorities automatically collect taxes on behalf of nationally-recognised religions. Then the regional church branches can decide what to do with the money.
“As a consequence, Catholic church taxpayers can expect that their funds can be used for activities that are distant from or hostile to the church,” complained the diocese in a statementExternal link released on Wednesday.
Switzerland has six Catholic dioceses, and about 36% of the Swiss population is Catholic.
More
More
Catholic condom campaign sparks controversy
This content was published on
At the same time, a Catholic mission is hosting a road show that educates young people about Aids in Africa. From Monday until Wednesday, a multimedia exhibition staged in a truck outside the main railway station illustrated the harsh reality of life in Uganda and in South Africa, where HIV and Aids are a severe…
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
This content was published on
Hotels in the southern Swiss canton of Ticino welcomed significantly more guests last December than in the same month of the previous year.
Swiss collect over 9,000 tonnes of plastic for recycling in 2024
This content was published on
In 2024, consumers recycled 9,090 tonnes of plastic. More than 600 municipalities in 17 cantons participate in the "Bring Plastic Back" system.
Swiss nomadic people were victims of crimes against humanity, says government
This content was published on
The persecution of Sinti and Yenish in Switzerland in the 20th century is a crime against humanity according to current international law.
Swiss court finds ex-Gunvor executive guilty of corruption
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Criminal Court sentenced a former executive at Gunvor oil trading group to a 24-month suspended prison sentence.
Young adults feel increasingly helpless, finds Swiss generation survey
This content was published on
Young adults in Switzerland believe they have less influence on the future development of society according to the latest Generation Barometer.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Churches face an uncertain future
This content was published on
A visit to a Swiss cathedral reveals how one religious community practises its faith even as more people turn away from the church.
Controversial Catholic bishop reports priest to police
This content was published on
Vitus Huonder, the controversial Catholic bishop of Chur, has reported a local priest to the authorities over alleged sexual offences.
Catholic authorities criticised over paedophile Capuchin friar
This content was published on
An independent commission on Tuesday issued a report into a former Catholic priest, who for decades abused victims in Switzerland and France.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.