Contenuti per la categoria: Collaboration (Principle of)

The expanding principle of bilaterality: the cooperation between public institutions and faith communities (toward an efficient guarantee of protection of religious interests)

ABSTRACT: Accadimenti (e congiunture) più o meno recenti registratisi nel campo della regolazione rapporti Stato/Chiese parrebbero avallare letture sconfortate e sconfortanti: potendosi parlare, a seconda dei casi, di una bilateralità ora “sospesa”, ora “apparente”, e talvolta perfino “tradita”. D’altronde, allo stesso tempo, contestuali elementi oggettivi (e indizi) inducono a non cedere allo sconforto, specie se il focus si espande ai frequenti esempi di bilateralità “altra” (quella concertata/amministrativa; quella dialogico- informale), registrandosi talune dinamiche “incrementali” commendevoli, specie nel segno cruciale dello smarcamento dal peggiore dei vizi che può infiacchire la bilateralità, ossia la standardizzazione dei suoi contenuti. Il contributo offre una disamina composita delle luci e delle ombre rinvenibili in materia, alla luce del monito lanciato in passato da due insigni studiosi del diritto (e non solo): è difficile ma necessario che il farsi concreto dell’esperienza giuridica insegua le altezze del “diritto sovralegale” (o “razionale”).

ABSTRACT: More or less recent events (and conjunctures) recorded in the field of the regulation of State/Church relations would seem to endorse discouraging and discouraging readings: being able to speak, depending on the case, of a bilaterality now "suspended," now "apparent," and sometimes even "betrayed." On the other hand, at the same time, contextual objective elements (and clues) induce one not to give in to discouragement, especially if the focus expands to the frequent examples of "other" bilaterality, different from the constitutionally regulated one (the concerted/administrative one; the dialogic- informal one), registering certain commendable "incremental" dynamics, especially in the crucial sign of the distancing from the worst of the vices that can weaken bilaterality, namely the standardization of its contents. The contribution offers a composite examination of the lights and shadows found in the matter, in light of the warning issued in the past by two distinguished scholars: it is difficult but necessary for the concrete making of legal experience to chase the heights of "supra-legal" (or "rational") law.

SOMMARIO: 1. Introduzione: la ricerca di “giustizia”; il ruolo servente del diritto (G. Radbruch, F. Scaduto) - 2. La bilateralità in “poliforme” espansione: quattro versanti - 3.1. Dinamismi della bilateralità: le luci (il verso anti- standardizzante a pro della Repubblica e delle comunità di fede; l’allargamento degli orizzonti del diritto ecclesiastico) ... - 3.2. ... (segue) e le ombre auspicabilmente diradabili: la bilateralità “sospesa”; la bilateralità apparente; la bilateralità formalmente “tradita” - 4. Un inquadramento di segno evolutivo: dalla stagione “eroica” della bilateralità al tempo della “normalità”; dalla generica ricerca di ‘giustizia’ alla specifica ricerca di garanzie (e certezze) - 5. (Ap)punti di discussione.

Insights into the Vatican Trial against Cardinal Becciu and Others

ABSTRACT: This paper examines various aspects of the trial recently concluded before the Vatican Court, primarily focusing on the determination of criminal liability related to the acquisition of the London Palace on Sloane Avenue with funds from the Secretariat of State. Specifically, the analysis focuses on some key principles stemming from the international commitments made by the Holy See on behalf of the Vatican State, highlighting the resulting constraints on the Pope's authority as the temporal sovereign of the State. It explores the application of these principles within the trial proceedings and the impact of multiple pontifical rescripta issued during the case, which expanded the powers of the Promoter of Justice in relation to the accused and were justified by the Vatican Court. Additionally, it addresses the potential consequences stemming from these developments, both in terms of the credibility of the Vatican jurisdiction in the international context and in its relations with Italian authorities

Mutual Collaboration in the Service of the Human Person between the Catholic Church and States after the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council and the Villa Madama Agreements

ABSTRACT: The article examines the ways of expressing the sana cooperatio between the Holy See and the political community in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council and the Villa Madama Accords. It will focus on the its characteristic traits as emerging from the pontificates of John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis and then examine the instruments of cooperatio, in particular the role of the Secretariat of State, the papal nuncios and the concordats.

SOMMARIO: 1. Premessa - 2. Chiesa e comunità politica all’epoca dei tre papi “stranieri” - 2.1 Giovanni Paolo II - 2.2 Benedetto XVI - 2.3 Francesco - 3. Gli strumenti della sana cooperatio.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. The coronavirus crisis: a tragedy and an opportunity - 2. Demanding governments’ accountability - 3. The conditions for legitimate restrictions on freedom of religion or belief - 4. The significance of equality and State’s neutrality for the protection of religious freedom - 5. Advantages of dialogue and cooperation between State and religion - 6. Support and doubts in the reaction of religious communities to governmental measures - 7. Final remarks.

ABASTRACT: This article explores peculiarities of the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison to other health crisis experienced in the past. Each character is thoroughly examined in the article. The article focuses on four thematic areas: the legal regulation of the fight against coronavirus; the equality of treatment of religious freedom in relation to other fundamental rights; the cooperation between the State and religious communities; and the reactions of religious communities to governmental measures. The article argues that rather than raising new questions, COVD-19 has forced us to deal with familiar questions under unprecedented circumstances. In this frame, time has played a central role as a factor to be taken into account to scrutinize the legitimacy of measures introducing severe limitations to fundamental rights and freedoms. Finally, the article claims that from a legal perspective, the experience of the past months reveals that, especially in times of crisis, we need a scrupulous respect for the requirements of the rule of law, including a strict accountability and transparency from governments, and putting especial emphasis on the protection of fundamental rights, among which is freedom of religion or belief.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. Introduction - 2. The Protection of Religious Freedom within the Swedish Constitutional Framework - 3. Sweden as a sui generis Legal Order within Europe during the Pandemic and the Specificity of the Measures adopted to counter Covid-19 - 4. Religious Freedom in Sweden during the Covid-19 Pandemic. A Subordinated Protection based on a Trust-Oriented Response - 5. The Legal Culture of ‘Trust’ in the State as the Grounds for the ‘Respectful Collaboration’ of Religious Communities.

ABSTRACT: The Covid pandemic has an enormous impact on individual rights. This is true also for the freedom to manifest one’s religion and Sweden represents an exceptional case study because the strategies the Swedish Government has adopted to limit the spread of the virus are distinct from those adopted in other European countries. The article will first analyse Swedish constitutional provisions with reference to the protection of religious freedom. Second, the article will offer some examples concerning the distinguishing features of the measures adopted by the Swedish Government. Third, attention will be dedicated to the analysis of the conduct of the Church of Sweden and of other religious communities with regard to the governmental decisions to counter Covid-19. The main argument of this article is that the concept of ‘Trust’ can both justify the responses of the religious communities and be used in the broader perspective of the upcoming legislative reforms regarding religious communities.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. Introduction - 2. The Italian constitutional framework and the principle of pactional bilaterality - 3. Restrictions on worship after the first phase of the pandemic - 4. The impact of the Protocols on the system of sources of Ecclesiastical law - 5. Conclusions. From bilateralism to “loyal cooperation”?

ABSTRACT: This contribution presents an investigation through the legal sources on which the restrictions on worship were imposed with the aim of verifying whether, and how, the normative management of the pandemic affected the bilateralism that characterizes relations between the State, the Catholic Church, and the various religious denominations. The main point of reference for the analysis will be the contents of the decree-laws, the Prime Ministerial Decrees (DPCM) and their annexes and the aim is to verify, in the context of the peculiar Italian ecclesiastical policy, the differences in treatment between the Catholic Church, religions with an agreement and religions without an agreement.

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. La funzione e il ruolo della diplomazia pontificia nella Comunità internazionale - 2. Le dimensioni dell’attività diplomatica della Santa Sede dal pontificato di Giovanni Paolo II a quello di Francesco - 3. Il riconoscimento dei diritti umani nella diplomazia di Papa Francesco - 4. A servizio della pace nel mondo - 5. Libertà religiosa, cooperazione per il bene comune e promozione della persona umana - 6. Annotazioni conclusive.

Diplomacy of the Holy See and the International Community In the context of the Holy See’s contribution to the good of mankind

ABSTRACT: The article takes into consideration the reasons and purposes for the presence of the ‘supreme governing body of the Catholic Church’ in the international Community. The author reflects on the relationship between the diplomatic activity of the Holy See and the delicate issues of peace and war. Therefore, attention is given to the methods of intervention put in place by Pope Francis with reference to the protection of fundamental human rights. In fact, from the pontificate of Paul VI, to those of John Paul II and Benedict XVI, to even the present pontificate of Francis, the juridical and geo-political questions concerning peace and terrorism, war and nuclear disarmament, the defense of religious freedom and the improvement of universal relations between states, the reform of international organizations and the promotion of human rights have strongly characterized the modus agendi of the two thousand year-old papal diplomacy. Faced with these questions, the Holy See seems to confirm both its own sui generis international juridical subjectivity and its own ‘positive neutrality’ by means of a significant work of mediation in offering universally shared solutions to protect the ontological, irrepressible dignity of the human person.

SOMMARIO: 1. Una collocazione non casuale - 2. Mutazioni, crisi, emergenze. Valori-fini dell’ordinamento e rilettura in continuità del “microsistema costituzionale” del diritto ecclesiastico - 3. Il duplice significato della dimensione pubblica del fenomeno religioso. Ambiguità e contraddizioni nel diritto ecclesiastico pre-pandemico - 4. Le conferme della pandemia. I limiti della libertà religiosa (e gli spunti per la valorizzazione del suo apporto costruttivo) - 5. Il rafforzamento e l’estensione del paradigma collaborativo - 6. La nuova fase della ripartenza e il binomio collaborazione-sussidiarietà - 7. Riepilogo e rilancio - 8. Note di discussione: i pregi (prospettici) - 9. (segue) i difetti (potenziali).

The pandemic emergency and the ecclesiastical law of the State: advantages (in perspective) and (potential) defects in considering the public dimension of religion.

ABSTRACT: Despite the pandemic emergency, religion is still placed among the elements that contribute to the material and spiritual progress of society. Particularly, the perception of the role of religion is assuming a greater consideration by State institutions and politics as well among the scholars. In this sense, the emergency law is an opportunity to reflect on the public dimension of the religious factor and a good chance to test its merits (in perspective) and (potential) defects.

SOMMAIRE: 1. Introduction: paradigmes de relations et droit à la liberté religieuse, de l’identité à la tension - 2. Des paradigmes des relations État-Églises au droit à la liberté religieuse - 3. La force attractive des paradigmes dans le scénario européen contemporain - 4. Les paradigmes des relations État-Églises dans la nouvelle arène internationale - 5. Conclusion: une citoyenneté inachevée.

The “European Right” to Religious Freedom and Paradigms of State-Religion Relations in Contemporary Europe: a thorny cacophony

ABSTRACT: The article examines the dialectic between European national models of religious freedom and the paradigm of religious freedom shaped in the international order and in particular by the human rights discourse. The analysis of the relationship between the modern - national-centered - and the contemporary - individual-centered - paradigm of religious freedom reveals, on the one hand, the difficult but inevitable osmosis between legal systems in a multilevel system of rights protection and, on the other hand, the deep transformation of religious freedom in contemporary Europe.