eurel     Sociological and legal data on religions in Europe and beyond
You are here : Home » Croatia » Law and religion » Legal framework » Separation and cooperation

Separation and cooperation

According to the Constitution, Croatia is a country in which there is a separation of Church and state, while all religious communities are equal before the law. The Constitution also envisages the cooperation between the state and religious communities. Specifically, Article 41 of the Constitution states:

“All religious communities shall be equal before the law and separate from the state. Religious communities shall be free, in compliance with the law, to publicly conduct religious services, open schools, academies or other institutions, and welfare and charitable organizations and to manage them, and they shall enjoy the protection and assistance of the state in their activities.”

In addition, the Constitution guarantees the enjoyment of rights and freedoms to all persons irrespective of religion, political or other convictions (Article 14), freedom of thought and expression (Article 38), freedom of conscience and religion and the freedom to demonstrate religious or other convictions (Article 40).

The legal position of religious communities is further regulated by international agreements, and national laws and agreements.

The position of the Catholic Church is regulated by four agreements which Croatia signed with the Holy See in 1996 and 1998: Agreement on Legal Issues, Agreement on Cooperation in the Fields of Education and Culture, Agreement on Spiritual Care in the Military and Police Forces, and Agreement on Economic Issues.

D 26 November 2013    ASiniša Zrinščak

CNRS Unistra Dres Gsrl

Follow us:
© 2002-2024 eurel - Contact