Insegnamento della religione nella scuola pubblica e liberta´ religiosa: lésperienza italiana nella revisione del concordato

The probIem of religious instruction in public schooIs is one of the central themes of the cultural and judicial controversyconcerning relations between the civil and religious realms in modern·day Italy. This controversy is pIaced within the generalframework of poIemics which have arisen as a consequence of the revision of the Concordat of Latran and, more precisely, concerning Article 36 o~ the Concordat. From a judicial point of view the author points out the difference that exists between Article 36 which presendy regulates the teaching of religion in State schools, and Article 9 of the «ProposaIs prior to Agreement on the Revision of the Concordab -the so-called«Casaroli·Gonella Joint Projecb. After explaining the different historica1 and cultural backgrounds that have given rise to the two articles, the author interprets Article 9 of the «Joint Project» on the basis of religious freedom, which is a basic principIe of the democratic ltalian State and which can be manifested by the possibility of asking to be exempted from having to attend religion class. Theauthor also analyzes possibIe declarations of principIes which may justify the presence of religious instruction in public schools, and then proceeds to consider the fact that these declarations of principIes are useful in orienting course content and programS. He also examines the norms proposed in 1977 in a preliminary paper drawn up after the «Joint Project»; this «Draft», as it is called, has as its main aim the improvement of the «Joint Jroject» and merits, in the author's view, a positive appraisal, as does the mention made to «religious culture» in Article 9, insofar as we are to understand that culture is a factor that constitutes part of the individual's formation of personality. Finally, the author foresees that the final draft of the new Concordat will consider that religious instruction in public schooIs has to be based upon the fundaments of religious liberty understood in its most ampIe sense. This includes, at the same time, the freedom of remaining indifferent: the author reminds us of the different technica1 ruses that can be depIoyed to this effect. On the other hand, everything is in harmony regarding both the dec1srations of Vatiean Council II and the constitutional framework of the ltalian State. Therefore, the situation adapts itself to the view that the Concordat is an instrument of freedom for individuaIs as well as for groups, and can not be interpreted as an exchange of privileges

Concordats as Instruments for Implementing Freedom of Religion

The article provides a brief overview of the history of concordats, and explores the teaching of Vatican Council II regarding Church-State relations. In light of a rhetorical discussion of whether or not Vatican Council II spelled the end of concordats as such, the author analyses the texts of recent concordats. Thereafter, the network of relations between Church and State are explored, setting out the advantages and disadvantages of each, and highlighting the model that affords the Catholic Church most sovereignty. Finally, the role of Episcopal Conferences in Church-State relations is ad- dressed, and the risk that national churches may re-emerge is pointed out.El artículo describe brevemente la historia de los concordatos y examina la enseñanza del Concilio Vaticano II sobre las relaciones entre la Iglesia y el Estado. Tras responder a la cuestión retórica acerca de si el Concilio es la tumba de los concordatos, la autora analiza los textos concordatarios más recientes. Seguidamente, el artículo afronta el estudio del sistema de relaciones entre Iglesia y Estado, subrayando defectos y ventajas de cada uno de los sistemas y destacando que el modelo concordatario garantiza la soberanía de la Iglesia católica. Finalmente, la Autora se refiere al papel de las conferencias episcopales en las relaciones entre el Es- tado y la Iglesia y apunta el riesgo de la reaparición de las iglesias nacionales

La promozione della tolleranza religiosa e della non discriminazione come fattore fondamentale per assicurare la Tranquillitas Ordinis. A 50 anni da Pacem in terris

The article offers a preliminary historical overview of the idea of the secular state in European history, exploring the positive contribution of religious freedom to peaceful coexistence in during the 20th century. In light of the significance of religious tolerance and freedom for ensuring tranquillitas ordinis, the article analyzes some specific issues in this regard: religiously-motivated hate crimes, the exclusion of religion from the public space, the role of media and education, and the dialogue between and with religions.El artículo da cuenta, en primer lugar, del desarrollo de la idea de Estado secular en la experiencia europea y examina seguidamente la contribución positiva de la libertad religiosa a la coexistencia pacífica en Europa durante el siglo XX. Tras referirse a la importancia de la tolerancia y de la libertad en materia religiosa con vistas a garantizar la tranquillitas ordinis, el trabajo analiza algunos aspectos particulares que guardan relación con el objeto de estudio: el crimen de odio por motivos religiosos, la exclusión de la religión de la esfera pública, el papel de los medios y de la educación así como el diálogo entre las religiones y con las religiones

Il diritto canonico: perch\ue9?

The Church has, at various times in its history, been described as a communitas perfecta, a perfect and supreme society that has as its goal the promotion of salvation of humanity. Like any organization, the Church is governed by rules that enable it to achieve its end, and this is the most basic function of canon law. When John Paul II promulgated the revised Codex iuris canonici in 1983 by means of the Apostolic Constitution Sacrae disciplinae legis, recognizing that in the aftermath of the Second Vatican Council the place of law in the Church was again being questioned by many, he offers four clear definitions for the role and function of canon law. First, canon law makes the hierarchical and organic structure of the Church visible. Second, canon law ensures the proper exercise of the sanctifying function of the Church. Third, canon law provides rights, obligations, and methods of resolving conflicts in the Church. Fourth, canon law attempts to provide the structures that sustain and direct the Church\u2019s common initiatives

Human Dignity in the Vatican City

While Vatican law does mention human dignity, the values thereof are found in canonical law. Canon law establishes that true equality regarding dignity and action among the faithful by providing plurality activities in which the Church can operate. One of the Church's goals is to elevate human dignity to create cohesion of social order. The Church's Magisterium affirms the dignities of each person's rights while rejecting acts which violate human integrity. Canon law and the Church's Magisterium are recognised as limiting the exercise of legislative power of the State. These sources create a general theory of human rights for the Vatican to ensure justice regardless of culture, religion and ideology. It can be assumed, though, that freedom of rights of Vatican citizens can be limited from the need to safeguard Vatican public order