Canada: In Quebec, municipalities buy up churches

The church of Venise-en-Québec was bought by the municipality in 2009. It should be destroyed and replaced by a multi-purpose center.

Nearly 60 churches have been bought over the last 10 years. Radio Ville-Marie published the results of a study prepared by the Council for Religious Heritage of Quebec on its website, www.radiovm.com, and speaks of an “unprecedented situation” for municipalities.

“The numbers say it all: 35 out of 57 municipalities who have purchased churches during the last 10 years have fewer than 5000 residents. The tendency is spreading, since the 21 most recent purchases were made during the last two years.”

Municipalities, according to the study, generally opt for “social and cultural benefits to the citizens, which often leave room for worship in churches reorganized into multiuse spaces.”

(Sources: kipa-apic.ch—rvm—DICI 279, 19/07/13)

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