Tax Church groups, running priest says

Instead of taxing the Catholic Church, collect taxes from religious groups instead.

This was the suggestion raised yesterday by activist priest Roberto Reyes.

Speaking to reporters at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Reyes — who officiated at a Mass during the department’s turnover ceremony — said religious groups like El Shaddai, the Loved Flock and Couples for Christ behave like corporations but are currently exempted from paying taxes.

"They are not really the Church. They are really corporations," he said.

Calling them "prayer partners incorporated," Reyes said the groups practice "tithing," a custom in some churches that involves setting aside and contributing a fixed part of an individual’s income.

"But walang tithing sa simbahan," he said. "We do not practice tithing."

Reyes said the State cannot collect taxes from the Church as the Church relies mostly on donations.

"The nature of monies of the Church is not that we brought the property. Even the property the Archdiocese has, was donated to her," he said.

Reyes cautioned against any compulsory arrangement of "entering into the technicality of taxing" as it would create "bad blood" between Church and State.

"(The taxation of the Church) can be discussed in the future. But if you discuss the issue of taxing the Church now, you will not get anywhere. Because even the Church and seemingly well-to-do Church institutions are suffering," he said.