The diocese of Dresden-Meissen is threatened with a deficit of millions in three years if no countermeasures are taken. “We will have to make do with less financial resources in the future,” says Bishop Heinrich Timmerevers in a video message published on the diocese’s website. In 2026, the subsidy “that we have received in large amounts from the West German dioceses for almost 30 years will no longer flow”. That was initially 17 million euros a year, now around 11 million euros. The support helped a lot. The “Sächsische Zeitung” reported first (Friday).
According to the ordinariate, the diocese expects a balance sheet deficit of 17.5 million euros in the budget for 2026. In view of this, a strategy process was initiated two years ago to set the course for dealing with this new situation. According to Timmerevers, a steering committee presented a package of measures before Easter, which was discussed and is to be presented to the public next Tuesday.
“This is a very big challenge for our diocese, there will certainly be drastic changes,” says the bishop. He promoted taking it “courageously” and for confidence. The diocese had to face “this new reality”. The central question is how the church can continue to fulfill its basic mission of preaching the gospel and being there for others. Timmerevers is “deeply convinced that this is also possible with less money”.
