Nuns as Self-Employed Workers: The Catholic Church’s Payroll | elDiario.es

A recent podcast episode from “Un tema Al día,” a program associated with elDiario.es, explores the unusual situation of nuns in Spain contributing to the self-employed (autónomo) social security system. This contrasts with priests, who are typically classified as employees of the Episcopal Conference and receive a salary based on their position within the Catholic Church hierarchy. The podcast investigates the apparent contradiction of nuns, living a cloistered life dedicated to religious service, being required to pay into a system designed for independent workers.

The question raised is: if a self-employed worker operates independently, sets their own hours, manages their own clients, and handles their own tax declarations, how can a nun, living in isolation, adhering to a strict routine of obedience, and dedicating her life solely to God, be considered an autónomo? The podcast seeks to address these inconsistencies with insights from Jesús Bastante, chief editor of Religión Digital.

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