The Catholic Church in Finland continues to grow steadily year by year. From a financial perspective, however, this positive development also means we must rethink how we generate member income. As things stand, the Church’s regular internal revenue is no longer sufficient to cover its growing operational expenses. As reported in Fides 1/2025, so-called membership income – that is, the total of collections, parish membership fees and donations – increased by less than half a percent compared to the previous year, reaching 1,015,000 euros in 2024. Expenses, however, rose significantly.
The Church’s largest expense categories are personnel and property costs, which increased in 2024 by 22 percent and 12 percent respectively compared to the previous year. As operations expanded, the number of clergy and other staff increased by 17 percent, which directly affected not only personnel expenses but also facility costs, such as housing. In 2024, the Church’s total operational deficit was 259,000 euros. We must therefore ensure that membership income increases along with the number of members, without undue delay.
In addition to the aforementioned membership income, the Church received approximately 182,000 euros in various sales revenues (books, events, etc.), and returns on investments (rental properties and stock holdings) amounted to 298,000 euros. The Church also receives significant external financial support, especially from Germany. In 2024, Bonifatiuswerk contributed over 400,000 euros towards salary expenses and 124,000 euros towards other operating expenses.
The accompanying chart illustrates how dependent we still are on external financial support to cover operational costs. All figures above sales income represent grants. In addition to aid from Germany, we received general support of 111,000 euros from the Ministry of Education in 2024. Currently, approximately 30 percent of our total income comes from external assistance.
Investments – meaning major renovation and construction projects – are managed separately from the operational budget. In the present situation, it is mostly possible to carry out such projects only with the help of donations and grant funding. In 2024, a major repair project was completed at St Joseph’s Church in Kuopio, with a total cost of about 140,000 euros. Most of this project was carried out with support from Bonifatiuswerk. At the Bishop’s residence, a moisture problem was detected in the lowest floor; investigation and planning for the repairs cost 30,000 euros last year. This project received support from both Bonifatiuswerk and the American Clover Foundation, and the actual renovation will take place in 2025. In the former Carmelite monastery in Espoo, planning for renovation and new construction cost 49,000 euros, funded by the Spanish Parentes Foundation.
Particularly regarding our operational budget, we cannot assume that support from Germany will continue at the current level far into the future. As for internal revenue, the clearest area for development is parish membership fees. It is estimated that fewer than 10 percent of adult members of the diocese currently pay regular membership fees to their parishes. However, according to paragraph 7 of the Church community statute, “It is the duty of a member of the community to support the Church and their parish through voluntary donations and by paying the membership fee set by the community superior [i.e. the bishop].”
If the number of paying members were to double from ten to twenty percent, the Church’s financial position would already be significantly more stable. We need to improve and clarify communication about the importance of regular payment of parish fees and make the process as easy as possible. It can be mentioned at the end of Mass during announcements, but in addition, each parishioner should clearly understand how to make the payment and, for instance, how to set it up as a recurring bank transfer using the correct reference number.
The new diocesan membership registry, introduced last year, is expected to soon enable more effective digital communication with parishioners. For many, a regular newsletter from their own parish would surely be welcome. Alongside such a digital newsletter, we could also include reminders about the membership fee and offer an easy way to make the payment. Increasing revenue from membership fees is primarily a matter of communication. Simply raising the fee would likely bring no significant benefit.
The Financial Office warmly thanks all those who already pay their membership fee regularly, and wishes all members of the diocese abundant blessings from God and a sunny summer.
Tommi Reinikainen
Diocesan Financial Administrator
Financial Office
- The financial statements of the parishes and the diocese are available for review on the diocesan website under “Diocesan Finances” (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.).
- Instructions for paying the parish membership fee are available on the diocesan website (Visit an external site. The link opens in a new tab.).