Massachusetts Towns Taxing Closed Catholic Churches

Yesterday's Boston Globe reported that nine cities and towns around Massachusetts have forced the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston to pay property taxes on closed churches, schools, convents, and parish halls. Tax assessors say that church property is exempt only if it is being actively used by the owner for religious purposes. These moves come as both cities and the Archdiocese face tight financial times. Churches in Scituate and Framingham being taxed have been occupied for years by former parishioners who object to their closing. Cities say that when the vigils are not approved by the Church, the building has lost its tax exemption. Estimating the value of church property can also be a difficult task. (See prior related posting.)