The Evangelical Church of Cologny is contesting a court ruling on baptisms, believing it undermines religious freedom.
In Christian news, the Evangelical Church of Cologny (GE) has decided to take its case to the European Court of Human Rights. This move aims to challenge the decision of the Federal Court of 23 February, which declared that baptisms in Lake Geneva could “offend religious peace and the convictions of others”. This information was released today in a press release from the Swiss Evangelical Network (SEN). The organisation encouraged the community to initiate this procedure because of the shortcomings it identified in the Federal Court’s judgment, stressing that this decision represents a worrying development concerning the fundamental right to religious freedomThe aim is therefore to “verify the compatibility of this decision with international law at the religious freedom “.
The Federal Court, to which the Church of Cologny had lodged an initial appeal, confirmed last winter the position of the canton of Geneva, which requires that only communities recognised by the State may organise public events.
Currently, only the Protestant Church of Geneva, the Christian Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic Church have this official recognition by the cantonal authorities. The Roman Federation of Evangelical Churches, of which the Church of Cologny is a member, actively supports this initiative, as does the RES. Together, they defend the “religious freedom and the peaceful expression of faith, both in private and in public, while respecting authorities and all sensitivities,” affirm the evangelical authorities.
Key facts:
– Appeal by the Evangelical Church of Cologny to the European Court of Human Rights.
– Challenge to a decision by the Federal Court on baptisms in Lake Geneva.
– Support from the RES and the Romandie Federation of Evangelical Churches for the religious freedom.
Other links:
