The Empty Churches of Europe

(Above) One of the less scandalous uses for old churches: a hotel (photo from the AP article at 2) below.

It’s a growing problem for the Europeans – abandoned churches. Why even small villages might have had two or more churches. Now certain German dioceses are facing ever more dire choices: Freiburg, for example, is moving from 1000 parishes to 40. 1) AP News reports that one solution is the conversion of churches into entertainment venues. In New York that kind of solution (a cultural center) has been implemented at St. Thomas and All Saints parishes (both in Harlem) – ususully old churches here are simply torn down to make way for luxury condominiums. Fortunately, very few in Europe are practicing the faith anyway, so that alleviates the problem. The AP story focuses on Belgium, where nowadays 10% of the population “regularly” attends church. The Catholic clergy are resigned to the situation. Bishop Johan Bonny of Antwerp – currently promoting LGBT wedding blessings with the support of Pope Francis – is hopeful things may turn around in 300 years or so……

1. “German archdiocese plans to cut parishes from 1,000 to 40,” CNA (7/16/2020)

2. Casert, Raf, “In Europe’s empty churches, prayer and confessions make way for drinking and dancing,” AP News (6/22/2023)