Overview:

• Catholicism is the state denomination of Malta.

• Existential recognition is only bestowed to the Catholic Church; recognition and registration are therefore differentiated although the latter is the only means of recognition for non-Catholic groups; this highlights how partial recognition is in effect.

• Informational requirements by the state for the registration process seem appropriate although require continued monitoring to ensure they are not unjustly expanded and are not misused against applicant groups.

Positive elements:

• Freedom of religion or belief is generally upheld by the government.

Recommendations:

• Establish distinct provisions for existential recognition in the country and multi-level recognition is advisable.

• To become dynamic, the Maltese government would need to establish a recognition agency to manage the aforementioned recognition system but should relinquish its control of such an agency upon its establishment in order to ensure the agency’s independence from government.

• Existential recognition provided to all belief systems and at multiple levels along with fixing some of the minor issues in the present system identified herein should see Malta ascend to dynamic classification.