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Probably not happy about the many exits from the church: Pope Francis at a celebration in St. Peter's Basilica
Photo: Gregorio Borgia / picture alliance/dpa/AP
At the beginning of the year, many people in Bavaria suddenly wanted to leave the church.
This was preceded by the presentation of an expert opinion on sexual violence against children and young people in the Catholic Archdiocese of Munich and Freising.
In Munich, the number of people leaving the church doubled, and other cities also reported an enormous increase.
It is likely the culmination of a long-standing trend: every year tens of thousands are turning their backs on the two major churches in Germany;
In 2020, a total of more than 440,000 people left.
But how does leaving the church actually work?
And what are the consequences?
We answer the most important questions.
How does leaving the church work?
Basically the same as leaving the badminton club: membership in the church must also be terminated.
Depending on the federal state, you have to appear in person at the registry office, at the district court or at the city or municipal administration.
A notary can also certify the withdrawal.
There is an exception in Bremen: There you can deregister directly in the church offices.
You only have to bring your identity card or passport, but then you also need a registration certificate.
In some federal states, married people must also present their marriage certificate.
You should also be able to provide information about your previous religious affiliation, for example about the baptismal community.
Is it also possible to process the withdrawal online?
no
The resignation must be made in person, as is regulated in the respective church tax laws of the federal states.
The only alternative is to submit a notarized document – but this is usually more expensive.
How much does it cost to leave the church?
This also differs by state.
In Bremen it costs nothing, in Hamburg 31 euros.
Incidentally, you don't have to pay for leaving the church itself, but for the resulting administrative costs.
A notary usually incurs additional costs.
How does the employer find out about this?
Whether you are a member of a church or not is important for your payroll – after all, it determines whether you have to pay church tax.
As an employee, however, you do not have to give your employer extra notice if you are leaving.
'The competent authority
sends a message to the registration office.
This reports the church exit to the tax office, "says Wrenda Kapoor, spokeswoman for the Hamburg-Harburg district office.
»The tax office and the employer, in turn, exchange employee data via an electronic process.«
Are you non-denominational if you leave the church?
In the eyes of the Church, once Christian, always Christian.
Strictly speaking, baptism is irreversible, regardless of whether you were baptized a Catholic or a Protestant.
According to Christoph Lerg, a lawyer for canon law, Christians are not non-denominational after leaving, but continue to be Christians – just with limited rights.
There are only differences in canon law in the terminology.
The Catholic Church knows no real exit from the Church.
Instead, she speaks of "apostasy," falling away from the faith that is punished by an ecclesiastical "punishment."
The evangelical church, on the other hand, does not see itself as a necessary mediator of salvation;
it therefore recognizes leaving the church as such.
Can you get married in a church if you have left the church?
Yes – at least if your partner is still a member of a church.
This is not a Protestant or Catholic wedding in the classic sense, but a so-called ritual act, a religious event.
The Catholic Church is basically a little stricter here than the Protestant Church: There are "certain reservations if a person who has left the Catholic Church wants to enter into a Catholic church marriage," says lawyer Lerg.
It will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
The decree of the German Bishops' Conference states: "In order for people who have left the church to be able to marry in a church, permission to assist in the marriage ceremony must be obtained from the local ordinary."
Can you still be a godfather after leaving?
As a rule, people who have left the church are not allowed to sponsor a baptism.
After all, the godparents' office is above all an ecclesiastical office;
the sponsors should also help with the Christian upbringing of the children.
In this sense, an already existing sponsorship can no longer be fulfilled after leaving.
For many, sponsors are more than just Christian companions, this relationship does not have to end with leaving the church.
After all, the church has little influence on how a sponsorship is structured.
Confirmation, communion, confirmation - what are the consequences of leaving the church for my child?
Leaving the church has no direct consequences for one's own children.
Children who have been baptized as Catholics can celebrate communion and confirmation regardless of whether their parents have left the church, and children who have been baptized as Protestants.
A child does not automatically leave the Church with their parents.
Can you be buried after leaving the church?
In Germany, cemeteries are usually in the hands of the municipalities.
Accordingly, the church can usually not refuse a burial there.
The funeral service is different.
"Under certain circumstances, a person who has left the Catholic Church can be denied a church burial if the person has shown no sign of remorse before their death," says lawyer Lerg.
It is always up to the pastor of the parish to decide.
In the Protestant Church, too, decisions are made on a case-by-case basis as to whether a funeral is possible despite leaving the church.
A burial may be possible for pastoral reasons, for example if the partner of the deceased is a believer and would like a Christian funeral service.
Whether someone has shown "remorse" is irrelevant here.
Any other pitfalls?
When one spouse leaves the Church and the other remains in the Church, things can get complicated.
At least if they file a joint tax return.
Because some federal states calculate a "special church fee" for people of different faiths.
Spouses are of different faiths if they belong to different religions – or if one of them is not a church member.
If this person earns more, they may have to contribute to their partner's church tax.