Ugandan Archbishop stirs controversy for urging govt to deduct tithe from workers’ salaries
A Catholic Archbishop in Uganda has raised eyebrows after allegedly suggesting that the government deduct tithe from workers’ salaries.
Cyprian Kizito Lwanga reportedly said during mass that the Ugandan government needs to emulate their German counterpart in effecting payment of tithe by citizens.
Lwanga, reports say, claimed that many Christians’ refusal to pay tithe affects church projects.
“Whenever we ask for tithe, everyone gives only what they have at that time. But the Bible says a tenth of whatever you earn belongs to the church,” he is quoted to have said.
“Give me your support as I front this proposal because it is good for us. Aren’t you tired of putting money in the baskets all the time?”
He reportedly said the tithing model in Germany, where Germans who are registered as Catholics, Protestants or Jews have a church tax (Kirchensteuer) of 8-9 per cent deducted from their annual income, was admirable.
“I was told Germans made agreements with their government to deduct monthly tithe from their salaries and forward it to the church and this money they use to build and renovate their churches,” he added.
The topic of tithing has generated controversies in recent times, with many claiming there is no genuine backing for it in the Bible.
