"Financially troubled parts of Europe consider taxing church properties"/Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/financially-troubled-cities-in-spain-consider-taxing-church-properties/2012/09/13/3b62c736-f842-11e1-8398-0327ab83ab91_story.html

..."Mismanagement has been another problem, especially for the Vatican, which this year reported its worst deficit — $19 million — in a decade. The Vatican bank has been embroiled in scandal for two decades, from the recent ousting of its president to accusations of money laundering and ties to the mafia, a possible murder and the disappearance of $1 billion in a bank it was closely linked to."
Bridget Mary's Reflection: 
Again we have material for another blockbuster movie about the Vatican. What has changed since the Middle Ages? Murder, intrigue, wealth at the Vatican? Now we Monsignor-Gate and the Vati-leaks. Hey move over Dan Brown! 

...."The issue of church tax payments has been simmering for several years. In 2010, European Union regulators launched an investigation into the Catholic Church and the taxes it pays in various countries. The E.U.’s competition czar, Joaquin Almunia, has said the tax breaks could be considered state aid and illegally distort competition in the market. But the issue wasn’t at the forefront of the debate until earlier this year when Monti, the Italian prime minister, called for assessing taxes on church properties..."

Bridget Mary's Reflection:
If European countries tax the Catholic Church, that will reverse years of special treatment. It is also an issue of justice and fairness to all religions and to tax payers. If the Irish government takes over primary education, this will bring a major change in Ireland. I remember my first two years in St. John of God School in Rathdowney. If we answered a question incorrectly, we had to put our hand for a slap with a ruler! Talk about fear and trembling!