This year too, many believers in Saxony have turned their backs on the two major Christian churches. With the exception of Leipzig, the trend in the number of people leaving the church is continuing upwards in the major cities. The registry offices in smaller municipalities also recorded more such decisions by mid-December than in the entire previous year. Reasons are not asked for or recorded. The churches themselves do not yet have the corresponding statistics for 2023; they usually provide nationwide information on the previous year's trends in the summer.
However, the Saxon state church expects a similar level to 2022 and assumes stagnation. "The high number of people leaving the church hurts," says Michael Baudisch, spokesman for the Dresden-Meissen diocese. "Feedback tells us that trust in the credibility of the church has been damaged." For example, the processing of the issue of abuse is often seen as too hesitant or believers are disappointed about structural changes in their parish, such as church or building closures or staff cuts. According to Baudisch, many do not take the step lightly, "for some, it is preceded by a long process of alienation".
