Now even parish priests are following the trend of posting images of sky-high electricity bills on social media.
The high cost of energy threatens to bring Italian parishes to their knees, as they are always strapped for donations from the faithful. And today, as all dioceses celebrate the awareness day for tax-deductible donations to support priests, an appeal comes from Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, President of the Italian Episcopal Conference.
"The Church is your home, and it's wonderful to want to make it work by supporting the priests; it's wonderful that you also want to lend a hand. There's no one to pay, as they say in Rome: we have the pants, and sometimes even with a few patches..." Zuppi explained.
Meanwhile, the Italian Episcopal Conference is preparing for the meeting of the permanent council, in Matera, starting on Tuesday, September 20. The problem of high energy prices is not currently on the agenda, but there could still be an initial discussion on what to do.
Because now the situation for many parishes is still manageable but when it will be necessary to turn on the heating of the large churches and the many catechism classrooms, financial problems could arise, much more serious than those already experienced in the hardest months of Covid, when with the lockdown donations and charity collections had been almost eliminated.
Everyone is currently trying to avoid cutting back on celebrations to save on electricity and heating, but some are raising concerns online by publishing their bills. The parish priest of San Vincenzo Ferrer in Atessa, in the province of Chieti , has done so.
For July and August, the bill is €1.043, and " unfortunately, this is just the beginning," comments Father Andrea Rosati. In San Vero Milis (Oristano), the bell tower of Santa Sofia will be turned off , while in Claut, in the province of Pordenone, a parish priest is urging the community to lend a hand, citing Article 315 of the Civil Code ("Rights and Duties of Children").
In Rome, the Vicariate is helping parishes replace old boilers, while in Palmi , in the province of Reggio Calabria, new diocesan offices equipped with solar panels were recently inaugurated . Sources from the Diocese of Rome also explain that discussions have been set up to "dialogue with the managers," but these are only the first steps.
“We will be careful, perhaps we will heat the premises for shorter periods, but we do not foresee any limitations on celebrations ,” says Monsignor Gian Carlo Perego, bishop of Ferrara-Comacchio , who in recent days has been contested for the merging of some parishes.
"There are 170 parishes in the diocese, 90 of which have fewer than a thousand inhabitants. Often, the problem is even paying the electricity bill. Sharing helps," he explains. Everywhere, it's a race against time because the situation may become unsustainable by the fall.
On the other hand, poor families are increasingly seeking assistance from parishes and Caritas organizations . For years, paying utility bills for vulnerable families has been a key aspect of charity, along with the distribution of food and other basic necessities. But today, it is precisely among the key initiatives being implemented ahead of the World Day of the Poor, which will be celebrated on November 13th.
