italy

italy

Фомичева и Короткевич ЮПР-23

Religion

Italy is a secular republic (Article 7 of the Constitution).
This means that the state is separate from religion and neutral in matters of faith.
The state guarantees freedom of religion for all (Article 8 of the Constitution).

directions

Catholicism is the dominant religion in Italy, which accounts for 74% of the population.
The Catholic Church is located in the Vatican, in the heart of Rome.
Non-Catholic Christian groups, which account for 9.3% of the population, include Jehovah's Witnesses, Orthodox Christians, Evangelicals, Latter-day Saints, and Protestants.

Two-tier system

There are two main types of relationship with religious groups in Italy:
The Catholic Church - the relationship is regulated by the Lateran Agreements (1929, revised in 1984). The Catholic Church has privileges such as funding through the "Eight-to-Three" system, religious classes in public schools, and recognition of church marriage.
Other religions - the state enters into individual agreements (Intese) with other religious groups. They receive a number of rights and benefits, but the process is regulated by negotiations, the signing of an agreement, and its ratification by the parliament. Examples of religions with agreements include the Waldensian Church, Jewish communities, Protestant churches, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, and others.
Religious groups without an agreement operate under general laws on freedom of association and have basic constitutional rights, but they do not receive financial or organizational benefits.

Thanks!