Bishop Rasmussen calls for changes to church tax system in Denmark to preserve medieval churches

To preserve Denmark’s nearly 2,000 medieval churches in the future, changes to the church tax system are necessary, according to Thomas Reinholdt Rasmussen, Bishop of Aalborg. Currently, it is not possible to redistribute church tax revenue between different parishes, resulting in wealthier areas having more funds for maintenance than sparsely populated regions. The bishop emphasized, “In some places, the funds are insufficient, and we need to find a solution.”

Bishop Rasmussen proposes establishing a national fund where parishes with aging and dilapidated churches can apply for financial assistance for repairs and renovations. He warns that without intervention, many churches in thinly populated areas will fall into disrepair within the next decade. An example of the current disparity can be seen in Aalborg Diocese, which has 250 medieval churches. In Thy and Mors, home to about 55,000 people, 100 churches are maintained, while the remaining 150 are supported by church tax from a population of 500,000.

Church Minister Morten Dahlin acknowledges the local significance of these churches but agrees that a geographic imbalance exists. He notes that many sparsely populated areas bear hefty maintenance costs for their older churches, which play a crucial role in preserving Denmark’s cultural heritage. Dahlin welcomes the bishop’s idea of a national church fund, stating that exploring alternative funding solutions is essential to address this issue.