Name :
Date :
1. How does EU law define its stance on religion and church-state relations?
Answer:
Through Article 17 TFEU and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the EU respects
national laws on religion while promoting dialogue. It does not interfere directly,
preserving subsidiarity.
2. What role does religious freedom play in the EU’s legal order?
Answer:
It is a fundamental right enshrined in Article 10 of the Charter. However, its application
varies, especially in terms of registration requirements and recognition of minority
faiths.
3. How has EU integration influenced the legal models of religion in CEE countries?
Answer:
It encouraged cooperationist or hybrid models, with agreements between states and
religious organizations and the introduction of tiered registration systems for
recognition.
4. Why is there concern about securitization of religion?
Answer:
Policies like visa denials (e.g., Estonia’s Orthodox clergy) or laws targeting specific
religious affiliations (e.g., Latvia, Ukraine) reflect a shift from neutrality to control in
the name of national security.
5. Are dominant religions privileged in EU member states?
Answer:
Yes. While legal pluralism exists, dominant religions often receive tax exemptions,
property restitution, and greater influence, showing a discrepancy in treatment across
denominations.
6. Why is the restitution of church property contentious post-accession?
Answer:
In countries like Romania, restitution efforts stalled post-accession, indicating that EU
leverage on religious justice weakens once membership is granted.
7. Does EU law harmonize religious freedom uniformly?
Answer:
No. The diversity of state-religion models in member states means the EU can only
ensure baseline protections, not impose uniformity, leaving room for unequal treatment.
