German Catholic parish sells church due to dwindling faith and funds

Lack of faith and financial challenges have led the Catholic parish in Lispenhausen, central Germany, to list its church, rectory, and monastery for sale.

Deutsche Welle’s Dean Andreas Schweimer, acknowledging the necessity of this decision, has advertised the properties on a reputable website.

The combined value of the church, rectory, and monastery is approximately $434,000 or nearly 1.7 million zloty, with a possibility of negotiating the final selling price as indicated in the listing.

Dean Andreas Schweimer discussed the reasons behind the sale with the Catholic website domradio.de, citing declining attendance with only about 10 percent of the local population identifying as Catholics and a mere 6 percent regularly attending services.

He commented, "Selling this church symbolizes a retreat of faith."

The properties cover almost 18,300 square feet and include a Catholic church built in 1963, a rectory, an intermediary wing connecting to 8 monastery cells added in 1980, along with a driveway and parking spaces, all located in the Lispenhausen district of Rotenburg.

The listing highlights the property's advantageous position atop a hill in the city center, offering a magnificent view of the Fulda valley and making it suitable for both spiritual and residential purposes.

According to radio SWR3, around twenty offers have been received, with three currently being seriously considered.

However, the final sale must be approved by the Fulda diocese, and there's a condition that the property cannot be sold to "non-Christian religious or ideological groups."