Reason 234,156 why the EU is Very Bad Idea- Wants To Tax the Church

I have no idea why anyone Catholic or not would want to join up with this monster in Brussels. At some point this will have to come up for a vote in the UK and I hope they vote a big Ole NO!!! I often listen to a big Talk radio station out of London via the net. It seems that almost all the callers are anti EU when it is brought up

The Ratzinger Forum has translated this piece from a Italian Paper. Also on that link there is another insightful story on this located at that thread.


THE CHURCH AND TAXES IN TALY: NOW THE EU WANTS TO GET INTO THE ACTAND WHAT BUSINESS IS IT OF THEIRS?

The anti-Church bureaucracy of the European Union has found a possible new way to 'get at' the Church - a truly depressing constant fact of life these days. Here is the translation of a report taken by Lella from Repubblica online tonight:

EU may investigate tax exemptions enjoyed by the Church in Italy BRUSSELS - The European Union will ask the Italian government for 'additional information' about 'certain fiscal advantages of the Italian churches' although it has not yet decided whether to open an investigation. This was stated by Jonathan Todd, spokesman for the EU Commission on Fair Competition, who said that an investigation in the context of the European anti-trust law would look into 'illegal aid' provided by the state. "We have not yet decided whether to open an inquiry," Todd said, saying the Italian government already responded to the Commission's initial request for information, but Brussels needs 'a surplus of information, which we are asking to be provided in written or verbal form."

He said the Commission wants to examine a provision in a 2006 financial law passed by the Berlusconi government which granted tax exemption to the Church's real estate properties being used for commercial purposes. The same exemption is given to all other religious and non-profit organizations in Italy. Brussels also wants to investigate a 50% reduction in taxes on the Church's commercial enterprises. Todd explained Brussels requested the information after 'some Italians', whom he did not identify, called the Commission's attention to the provisions of the 2006 law. Coincidentally, Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian bishop's conference (CEI), published today a statement by Mons. Giuseppe Betori, CEI secretary-general, in which he points out that "The tax exemption applies only to those activities that are religious and/or social in nature, and are exactly identical to that given to other non-commercial entities.

Those who question the State's concessions to non-commercial entities are expressing a mistrust of so many social organizations of diverse inspiration who are particularly active in fighting poverty and need."

[NB: One rationale for tax exemptions given to religious and charitable organizations is that they are carrying out necessary activities that provide services which the government cannot.]

Incredible.