Overview:

• The Catholic Church has state privilege; there are currently no procedures for a religious group to attain the same level of existential recognition as Catholicism in Italy causing a situation of partial recognition.

• Bilateral cooperation agreements manage state relations with religious entities.

• The process for establishing an accord is highly political by nature, firstly dependent upon the prime minister’s approval and then parliament’s; this politicisation of the process is not ideal.

Positive elements:

• Nil.

Recommendations:

• Establish a recognition agency to manage religious recognition independent of government.