Supreme Court of Italy denies recognition as a place of worship for an evangelical church in Rome, following two consecutive rulings
The Breccia di Roma Evangelical Church is set to challenge the Italian Supreme Court's recent ruling, which deemed their property not a place of worship due to a lack of "structural changes." This decision annuls two previous rulings in favour of the church and marks the end of the case as it stands.
The church, which is a third sector religious association and thus prohibited from making profits, argues that the ruling is unfair and discriminatory. They believe the Supreme Court operates within a pattern of thought where places of worship must have "objective characteristics." However, in the past, courts have recognised the principle of religious liberty, allowing faith communities to determine the appropriateness of their places of worship.
The Supreme Court's ruling means that the Breccia di Roma church will have to pay taxes on their property as if it were a business premises. This could result in significant financial implications, as the church will now have to pay court costs and back payments of commercial property taxes for approximately 5-6 years.
In response to the ruling, the European Association for the Defense of Freedom of Religion has announced that the Breccia di Roma church will appeal the decision. The church has also shared some prayer requests, indicating their determination to seek justice in this matter.
In a final move, the Breccia di Roma church has decided to take their case to the European Court of Human Rights following the Supreme Court's ruling. This step underscores their commitment to upholding their right to religious freedom and the recognition of their property as a place of worship.
As the case progresses, the Breccia di Roma church's appeal will be closely watched by religious communities and human rights advocates alike, who hope for a fair and just resolution.
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