Church Affairs in Hungarian Legislation, Policy Study

‘To mention Europe’s Christian roots implies indicating as well the residual sources of moral orientation, which is a factor of Europe's identity.’ [Joseph Ratzinger, Europe’s Crisis of Culture] This study will attempt to present the principles of the relationship between the State, religion and churches in the context of the secularised state of Hungary, which nevertheless has Christian traditions going back one thousand years. It will outline the background to the process of legislation and the specific measures of the Hungarian government. All of this is especially topical in Hungary, as the recently adopted Fundamental Law has made it necessary for the adoption of a new cardinal Act on the fundamental constitutional right of freedom of conscience and religion, and in connection with this the question of the status of churches.