How Is The Vatican-approved Church Tax In Germany Ok?

[Theresita Nerita]

This is the first thing that has ever really shaken my faith in the institutional church: everyone's reporting today that the Vatican approved the German bishops' decision to exclude from the sacraments anyone who doesn't pay a "church tax" to the German government.

I don't see how this is ok - how does paying the tax or not paying it effect your state of grace and communion with Christ? For example, if a German Catholic moved to England, he would no longer pay the tax. And are the bishops saying that in England he'd be in a state of grace, but in Germany he wouldn't? Since when does geography, citizenship, or even the amount you donate to the church have anything to do with your ability to receive the Eucharist?

Please explain this to me. I'm very confused and saddened.

Thanks.

[dUSt]

According to one article I read, "[b]An official declaration that one is leaving the faith[/b] frees the citizen from this tax."

It appears that the German bishops are not denying the sacraments to people for not paying the tax, but are denying the sacraments to those who officially leave the Church--which German citizens have been doing to avoid paying the government imposed tax (it's a Germany imposed tax, not a Church imposed tax). It would seem logical that sacraments should not be administered to those that leave the Church. I guess it's all semantics though.

Looking at it in another way, If the city I lived in would not allow me to buy a house in a certain neighborhood unless I was a registered Protestant, would it be okay for me to leave my Catholic church, join a Protestant church, but then continue to receive the Eucharist because I am only calling myself a Protestant so I can live in a nice neighborhood?

I'll allow someone else who knows more about this issue to reply further.