SOMMARIO: 1. Premessa – 2. Il ruolo peculiare delle “confessioni” religiose – 3. Modalità distorsive di rilevazione degli interessi religiosi – 4. Particolarismo confessionale vs pluralismo religioso – 5. Il carattere “lobbistico” dello strumento pattizio – 6. Europa, governance e fattore religioso: il lobbying delle chiese e delle altre comunità di fede – 7. Il caso Lautsi c. Italia – 8. Conclusioni.

ABSTRACT: This article analyzes the role of religious groups in the national and European public spaces with a particular focus on their contribution to the new transformation taking place in the field of individual and collective participation to the common good. The main focus of the article deals with the legal and political condition under which religious groups try to advance their lobbying activities in Italy and in Europe.