Kampala Archbishop, Cyprian Kizito Lwanga has proposed a rather controversial agenda that seeks to have the central government in Uganda deduct 10% from people’s monthly salary as tithe that will be forwarded to the Church.
“Whenever we ask for tithe, everyone gives only what they have at that time. But the Bible says a tenth of whatever you earn belongs to the church,” said Archbishop Lwanga speaking during mass at the Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Rubaga.
The Catholic Archbishop complained that a huge number of Christians do not tithe and as a result, Church projects are affected.
“Give me your support as I front this proposal because it is good for us. Aren’t you tired of putting money in the baskets all the time?” he asked the congregation.
In his proposal, Archbishop Lwanga said that he wanted Uganda to embrace the Germany church tax system ((Kirchensteuer) where citizens are registered as either Catholics, Protestants or Jews and have between of 8% to 9% of their income deducted by the government and channeled to the respective faiths.
“I was told Germans make agreements with their government to deduct monthly tithe from their salaries and forward it to the church and this money they use to build and renovate their churches,” he said.
In Germany, those who do not want to pay the tax are allowed to leave the church by making an official declaration stating they are leaving the faith. However, after leaving, one is no longer eligible to receive sacrament, participate in confession, confirmation or take part in church activities.
Early this year, the government of Uganda under the Ministry of Finance made a decision to block a tax on Bibles and Qurans that had been proposed by Uganda Revenue Authority (URA). The Bible Society of Uganda had vigorously opposed the tax that had been imposed on Bibles imported from China and South Korea saying that it would hike the price of bibles which is already currently at 35,000 Ugandan Shillings.
We can now only wait and see whether or not the government of Uganda will respond to the cries of the Archbishop.
Would you agree to give 10% of your income as tithe to the Church?