Dublin archbishop calls residential zoning of Church buildings 'extraordinary attack on Catholic faith'

The Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, has criticised the inclusion of Church buildings and land under a new residential zoning land tax which is being proposed by Dublin City Council.  

Speaking to the Irish Independent, the Archbishop described the move as “an extraordinary attack on the Catholic faith”. But is this really the case?  

While it is true that churches that are in active use are listed in the council’s Draft Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT) which would see a three per cent levy being imposed on the market value of a property, the tax would only be applicable if the land was inactive or not in use.