“Exemption from paying ICI (the Council Tax) is a problem that has nothing to do with the terms of the Concordat between the Italian State and the Church, which does not cover it at all and which applies only to religious and social activities, takes inspiration from the normal legislation and is perfectly identical to the one the other non-profit agencies benefit from”. This was said by mgr. Giuseppe Betori, secretary general of the Italian Bishops Conference, with reference to rumours about alleged tax privileges granted to the Church and following an enquiry from the EU Commission. “Those who object to such attitude from the state to the non-profit agencies that work for social promotion in charitable, medical, cultural, educational, recreational and sporting areas – highlighted the secretary of the Italian Bishops Conference – prove they basically mistrust many social workers who are working particularly hard, in different fields, to fight straits and poverty”. “It would be inconsistent – went on mgr. Betori – for the State to burden those ecclesial associations and the other organisations that pursue goals in the interest of the community”. “ No “granting of privileges”: the exemption from the payment of the Council Tax for the Church and for “all those bodies that are neither State nor market” makes it possible to provide “charitable and social services to the weakest segments of the population” that would otherwise receive none. This was explained by Giuseppe Dalla Torre, rector of the Catholic University Maria SS. Assunta (Lumsa) of Rome. “The European Union – recalled the jurist – has no jurisdiction on the relations between the State and the Churches. Every State has its own legislation covering such relations, according to their own traditions and to the conditions of their Churches. This is set forth by art. 52 of the EU Treaty, which has not been enforced”.
