The ancient laws compelling landowners to contribute substantial sums toward the repair of churches in the vicinity of their property are applicable even in cases where the landowners are Jews, according to a decision of the Austrian administrative court.
The court just heard the case of Dr. Segal who complained against the authorities for imposing upon him a tax for the repair of a church damaged in an earthquake. The church is situated near the property he owns. Dr. Segal contended that the Austrian state. which was the previous owner of the land, did not observe this law. The Catholic authorities based their claim on an ancient law which is still on the statute books.
The court, rendering judgment against the Jewish landowner, declared it was the obligation of Jewish landowners to pay annual sums for the upkeep of the church.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
