Contenuti per la categoria: Edifici ed edilizia di culto

Requiescat in loco sacro: first reflections on the use of Catholic churches as columbaria between the needs of the Church and the complexity of regional regulations

ABSTRACT: Negli ultimi decenni, la Chiesa cattolica ha mutato la sua opinione circa la cremazione dei fedeli defunti, passando da una posizione decisamente contraria alla cremazione ad una più aperta. Per varie ragioni, tra cui la mancanza di spazio nei cimiteri e i costi significativamente inferiori rispetto all'inumazione e alla tumulazione, il ricorso alla cremazione è aumentato in modo esponenziale. Si è così persa la connotazione ostile di questa pratica rispetto alla dottrina della Chiesa sulla resurrezione dei corpi. Per questo motivo, in alcuni Paesi, come la Germania, si è diffuso l'utilizzo di chiese cattoliche sovrabbondanti come colombari, ovvero spazi in cui conservare le ceneri dei defunti, pur mantenendo il carattere sacro del luogo. Il presente contributo, partendo dalla costituzione di un'apposita commissione in materia da parte dell'Arcidiocesi di Bologna, da cui sono scaturiti i due quesiti a cui ha risposto il Prefetto del Dicastero per la Dottrina della Fede il 9 dicembre 2023, intende presentare i profili problematici di questa soluzione nel contesto italiano, alla luce della complessità e della pluralità delle normative regionali in materia di polizia mortuaria.

ABSTRACT: In recent decades, the Catholic Church has changed its position on the cremation of the faithful departed, moving from a decidedly anti- cremation stance to a more open-minded one. For various reasons, including the lack of space in cemeteries and the significantly lower costs compared to burial, the use of cremation has increased exponentially. Thus, the hostile connotation of this practice with respect to the Church’s doctrine on the resurrection of bodies has been lost. Therefore, in some countries, such as Germany, the conversion of redundant churches into columbaria, i.e. places where the ashes of the faithful can be kept, has become widespread, while maintaining the sacred character of the place. This contribution, starting from the creation of a special commission on the matter by the Archdiocese of Bologna, which resulted in the two questions answered by the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on 9 December 2023, intends to present the problematic profiles of this solution in the Italian context, in the light of the complexity and plurality of regional regulations about mortuary police.

SOMMARIO: 1. ‘E la mirabile coppia apparve’: prolegomeni allo studio dei rapporti tra gaming and religion ˗ 2. Una mappatura del campo di indagine dei Digital Religion Studies: gaming as religion, didactic digital games … ˗ 3. … religion in gaming: ovvero cattedrali, moschee, schiere di angeli e demoni nelle narrazioni videoludiche ˗ 4. ‘Gli amori difficili’: la problematica relazione tra gaming and religion ˗ 5. Il diritto sulla scena: gaming and religion con gli ‘occhiali del giurista’ ˗ 6. Un puzzle di norme diverse e contrastanti: una radiografia sulla libertà di panorama in Europa … ˗ 7. … e in Italia ˗ 8. Postille conclusive: spunti di riflessione de iure condendo.

Religious symbols and cultural heritage in videogames: intersections between gaming and religion, or two inescapably communicating destinies. New spaces for research and theoretical reflection

ABSTRACT: Within a multiple reading grid, this contribution aims first of all to focus on the theme of the migration of religious symbols outside their natural ecosystem, electing videogames among the many ‘profane’ and even 'pop' languages ​​of mass media society. Starting from the ancient marriage between games and religion, we will investigate the forms in which the religious material ˗ Christian and non ˗ is shaped within the world of videogames, trying to perimeter the field of investigation of that very particular line of research called Digital Religion Studies. Subsequently, starting from the famous case of Manchester cathedral, we will try to demonstrate the problematic nature of the relationship between gaming and religion. By shifting the wide angle to the field of law, the legal regime reserved for videogames will be elucidated, albeit skeletally, and then highlight how the classification systems of videogame contents do not protect the religious feeling of the faithful. The Manchester controversy will also provide an opportunity to investigate that labyrinthine plexus of provisions that governs the digital reproducibility of cultural heritage. It will end with some de jure condendo reflections on the regulation of religious data in videogames and on the subject of freedom of the panorama.

SUMMARY: 1. Introduction - 2. The temporal goods of the Church and the principle of subsidiarity - 3. The notion of common goods in Italy - 4. Some practical cases of ecclesiastical heritage as common goods in Italy- 5. A comparative perspective with Belgium: the strategic plans for the future of churches in Flanders - 6. Future perspectives and conclusions.

ABSTRACT: According to recent studies, there are about 600,000 places of worship and several thousands of monasteries and convents in Europe. The process of secularization, the decrease and displacement of the population, the reduction of vocations to the sacred life can be held responsible for the redundancy of the assets of the Catholic Church. These buildings represent an impressive heritage of faith, work and creativity of the communities which made them over the centuries. Most of them are considered as “cultural heritage” by the legislation of the European States, because of their historical, cultural and artistic values. Up to now, the main solution to this phenomenon has consisted in the alienation of these properties. However, the selling and the disposal of these goods by ecclesiastical bodies cannot always be the only and preferable solution. Drawing from the analysis of some case studies in Italy, this paper aims to investigate the role of civil society participation in the regeneration process and the possibility of applying “collaboration pacts” for the management of “common goods”. In the light of the European scope of the phenomenon, a comparison is proposed in line with the legal instrument of “strategic plans”, drawn up by the diocesan bishop and local authorities in Flanders (Belgium).

SOMMARIO: 1. Considerazioni preliminari - 2. La speciale natura rei sacrae degli altari - 3. Gli altari secondari - 4. La celebrazione eucaristica e la deposizione delle sacre reliquie nel rito della dedicazione o della benedizione dell'altare - 5. Il rapporto tra norme canoniche e norme liturgiche nella regolamentazione degli altari - 6. L'applicabilità agli altari delle norme canoniche che regolano i luoghi sacri - 7. Il rapporto tra le Linee guida emanate dalla Congregazione per il Clero e le norme codiciali - 8. Cenni alla disciplina prevista dal Codice del 1917 per la riduzione a uso profano degli altari - 9. Ulteriori e precedenti tipologie di altare - 10. La conservazione delle sacre reliquie - 11. La distinzione tra altari fissi e altari mobili - 12. La destinazione degli altari mobili delle chiese dismesse - 13. La destinazione degli altari fissi delle chiese dismesse - 14. L'altare della Vergine nella chiesa di Santa Maria di Cerrate - 15. L'altare bene comune.

The juridical-ecclesiological dimension of the altars of decommissioned churches: questions divided between canon law, liturgical law and civil law

ABSTRACT: The article analyzes the condition and the destination of the altars of the churches that have lost their dedication or blessing due to the decommissioning processes regulated by the canon law. The main purposes of this analysis are to understand whether it is possible to reduce altars to profane uses and to identify a new proper use for them. In order to achieve these objectives, it is essential to consider the special sacred nature of the altars, but also their cultural value.

SOMMARIO: 1. Brevi cenni introduttivi - 2. Il Fondo Edifici di Culto: struttura e patrimonio - 3. La missione del Fondo Edifici di Culto - 4. Conclusioni.

Worship Buildings Fund. Protection, promotion and sustainable development

ABSTRACT: In the XIX century (mainly dating to the Sixties), laws were enacted for the secularization of all the religious assets. In order to protect, maintain and run this extremely rich, diversified and priceless estate, a Worship Buildings Fund (called Fondo Edifici di Culto = FEC) established by Law no. 222 (1985). Its holdings include many worship buildings (about 840 churches, abbeys, monasteries and convents), sacred objects, artworks, museums, archaelogical sites, book collections; as well as non-religious buildings (farms, schools, barracks and so on), and protected natural areas. Therefore FEC’s purposes need a renewed attention. A new governance will help to achieve the double goal, that is to administer faithfully the policies and objectives which best fulfill the needs, concerns and interests of this precious heritage and to support sustainable development.

SOMMARIO: 1. Uno sguardo preliminare - 2. La Francia e il progetto di legge “confortant le respect des principes de la République”: realtà sociale e volontà politica - 3. La crisi italiana della laicità e i suoi riflessi sul piano normativo - 4. La vana ricerca dell’attuale indirizzo politico in materia ecclesiastica delle forze di maggioranza nel governo nazionale e la deriva anti-islamista delle forze di opposizione - 5. La pretesa regionale di legiferare in materia di sicurezza e identità non supera il vaglio di legittimità costituzionale - 6. L’impegno della dottrina. la “proposta Astrid”, le critiche e la mancanza di progetti alternativi - 7. Preparare il futuro.

2021: always awaiting a general law on freedom of religion, between inadequacy and fear of the trial

ABSTRACT: While France wonders how the secular character of the Republic sholuld change, and President Macron presents a project to profoundly revise 1905 separation law (Loi concernant la Séparation des Eglises e de l’Etat), Italy is still tryng to update 1929 minority cults law (“sull’esercizio dei culti ammessi nello Stato”). The parties that should implement the sucularity principle and religion's freedom, don't have a clear political direction. However, preparing for the future is strictly necessary in these times of health, economic and social emergency.

SOMMARIO: 1. Introduzione - 2. Vivere al tempo dei “divieti”, con i temperamenti della Corte costituzionale - 3. Edifici, luoghi, spazi - 4. Un’architettura “scomposta”: dal minareto di cristallo all’area per la moschea destinata a parcheggio.

Secularism and Right to the Building of Worship

ABSTRACT: Article 19 of the Italian constitution guarantees the right to worship as one of the three subjective public rights, together with the right to profess one’s own creed and propagate it, through which religious freedom is manifested. However, people belonging to certain religions face obstacles in having places where they can perform their rituals. Particularly, the request to build mosques on Italian soil encounters many denials, especially of a legislative nature. The essay analyzes, also through the reference to concrete cases, the problems in the field and proposes to reflect on the concept of space where people can develop their personality and fulfill the mandatory duties of political, economic and social solidarity.

Summary: 1. Introduction - 2. Italian legal responses to COVID-19: the Italian constitutional and legal framework on religious freedom - 3. The suspension of religious assemblies during phase one of the pandemic - 4. A “cautious resumption” of religious gatherings during the phase two in Italy - 5. U.S. legal responses to COVID-19: U.S. constitutional and legal framework about religious freedom - 6. The legal patchwork because of the pandemic - 7. Judicial balance between individual liberties and the preservation of health - 8. Litigation in lower courts about the exercise of religious freedom during Covid-19 - 9 New creative ways of worshipping in Covid-19 times: drive-in religious services - 10. Third-party burdens and the successful nondiscrimination approach - 11. Department of Justice statements - 12 Supreme Court intervention in temporary state restrictions on religious assemblies - 13. “Religious America” and “secular” Italy during Covid-19 phase one - 14. Management of religious freedom during the pandemic and the lack or presence of a statute governing religious freedom - 15. Effect of the pandemic on the question of whose religious freedom should be protected - 16. Guaranteeing a fair level of religious accommodation during a pandemic - 17. Enhanced need to balance the exercise of religious freedom with third-party harm during a pandemic - 18. Impact of the pandemic on the exercise of religious freedom in the long term.

ABSTRACT: The so-called lockdown, imposed to restrain (or at least limit) the spread of COVID-19, has, in the over four seemingly endless months since it started, had an overwhelming impact not only on our personal lives, but also on domestic regulatory frameworks. Legal systems responded individually, and with differences to the pandemic emergency, ranging from a complete interruption of the collective exercise of religious worship (Italy), to a more cautious recognition of forms of religious accommodation (United States). The present paper compares the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the exercise of religious freedom in the United States and the Italian legal contexts, and investigates how the pandemic crisis emphasized underlying judicial, political, sociocultural, and economic challenges, giving rise to a tension between competing rights and exacerbating concerns about the “special” role of religion. As the COVID situation is changing so rapidly in the United States, in Italy, and around the world, I clarify that the information in the present paper relates at the situation as at the end of June 2020.

Venerdì 24 luglio 2020 la Turchia, o meglio il suo premier Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, ha riaperto al culto islamico il simbolo stesso di Istanbul rappresentato dal complesso monumentale di Santa Sofia. Una vicenda triste per la civiltà, che vede un gioiello artistico di valore universale piegato al nazionalismo religioso. Per la verità l’edificio non è nuovo ai cambi d’uso, come non lo sono altri manufatti di pregio che hanno attraversato i secoli, ma in questo caso non si tratta di un nuovo utilizzo ma di un ritorno al tempo della dominazione ottomana.  Tuttavia, questo non è un ritorno alle origini, perché - come sappiamo - Santa Sofia, costruita per l’imperatore Giustiniano in soli cinque anni dal 532 al 537, è considerata il capolavoro della nuova architettura basilicale bizantina quale espressione della “romanità cristiana e universale della cultura giustinianea”.

Cardinal Gasparri, Francesco Saverio Nitti and the basilica of Hagia Sophia

In reference to the current events that see the return to the destination for Islamic worship of the ancient Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, a Vatican document of the years immediately after the First World War is recalled which presents positions opposite to those prevalent today.

SOMMARIO: 1. L’intervento della Suprema Corte federale americana in tema di compatibilità della normativa emergenziale con la Free Exercise Clause - 2. I termini della questione originariamente sollevata e la pronunzia del giudice di primo grado - 3. L’appello dinanzi alla Corte del Nono Circuito e l’opinione dissenziente del giudice Collins - 4. Il problema della costituzionalità delle misure restrittive incidenti sulla libertà di culto nei contrapposti orientamenti seguiti dalle Corti inferiori - 5. Gli argomenti posti a fondamento del ricorso alla Corte Suprema - 6. La contrapposizione tra judicial deference e lettura rigorosamente neutrale dei termini della vicenda portata all’esame dei giudici - 7. Una riproposizione dei canoni di stretta neutralità anche nell’interpretazione dei principi costituzionali in materia religiosa? - 8. Notazioni conclusive.

Anti-Covid Law vs. Free Exercise Clause in US Supreme Court Case Law: is it a Return to the Doctrine of “Neutrality” in the Interpretation of Religious Clauses of the First Amendment?

ABSTRACT: The paper analyzes the question of wheter the Stay-at-Home Order and the Reopening Plan that were issued by the State of California to combat the Covid-19 pandemic discriminate against places of worship in violation of the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. In South Bay United Pentecostal Church vs. Newsom, the Supreme Court of the United States upholds California’s guidelines for places of worship that limit religious worship services to 25% of a building’s capacity or a maximum of 100 attendees, because similar restrictions apply to comparable secular gatherings.