This is not the case in the Netherlands, as you point out. Catholic parishes own the buildings they use for worship. Also, there is no formal separation between Church in State in the Dutch Constitution. There is a volutary donation system called ‘Kerkbalans’, but people hardly donate. Result: downsizing and closing of churches, cuts in Church finances.

Both situations are not ideal for different reasons. I read a lot of inflammatory comments, mostly by Americans to who the whole ‘secularization’ idea is foreign. But it’s hardly helpful to yell at the German bishops, the Catholic Church or even German authorities. It doesn’t help. Both systems are flawed, but what is a viable alternative, given the fact most European Catholics simply refuse to donate money to their own church?