Catholic Church in Croatia: Legal Framework and Social Frictions

The lecture analyzes the legal position of the Catholic Church (CC) in Croatia from the point of view of memories of the past. The current legal position, secured by international agreements with the Holy See, can be understood as a consequence of historical changes and the reaction of the CC to these changes. This in particular concerns the very unfavourable position during the communist time. While the scholarly literature and public debates question the current legal and social position of the CC from different perspectives (principles of equality, separation of Church and state...) this lecture gives another standpoint. The sociological data reject the public image of high religiosity and show the high distance to the Church as a social institution and in particular toward its political involvement. The question is how these data influence the legal framework and whether they point to other historical memories, though not visible or suppressed in public discussions. 

Siniša Zrinščak is a Croatian sociologist and a Professor of Sociology at the University of Zagreb – Faculty of Law. His main scientific interests include religious and social policy changes in post-communism, Church-State relations, European and comparative social policy, and gender. 

Meeting-Link 
https://unigraz.webex.com/unigraz/j.php?MTID=m0679acb8ab7c40954f528f7fdce53125 
Meeting-Kennnummer: 121 008 3481
Passwort: 8JhPr4W9rM3