History

The Institute of Law and Religion is the oldest Institute of the Law Faculty of the University of Fribourg. A documentation center, predecessor of the Institute, was established already in 1956. The foundation for the Institute of ecclesiastical law and constitutional church law was laid in 1979. 25 years later it was renamed to Institute of Law and Religion. Many indi-viduals, some of them well-known people, contributed to the development of the Institute.

• Historical corner marks

   

  2018

  Comprehensive update and extension of the homepage of the institute.

   

  2015
  Since 2015, with the help of Ch. R. Tappenbeck - a free collaborator at the Institute - an internship position at the Legal Service of the Reformed Churches of Bern-Solothurn-Jura has been established. This internship position, which has been available once a year since then, is reserved for graduates of the Mention "Religion Law" of the Faculty of Law.

   

  2007-2011
  Participation in the so-called National Research Programme 58 on „Religion, Staat und Gesellschaft“. 

   

  2004
  New statutes of the Institute and change of its name to “Institute of Law and Religion”.

   

  2003 

  Since 2003, two representatives of the Protestant Reformed Church have also been members of the Institutes board of trustees.

   

  2000

  Launching of an Internet site to offer the activities and services of the Institute to the general public.

   

  1998
  

  The direction of the institute is being vested in Prof. René Pahud de Mortanges, Head of the Chair for History of Law and Religion Law.

  The book series published by the Institute changes its name from “Freiburger Veröffentlichungen auf dem Gebiete von Kirche und Staat, FVKS” to “Freiburger Veröffentlichungen zum Religionsrecht, FVRR”.
  Since 2003, the Evangelical Reformed Church has had two representatives a members of the board of trustees.

   

  1995-1997
  The joint directors of the Institute are the three Professors Prof. Nicolas Michel, Prof. Pier V. Aimone und Prof. René Pahud de Mortanges.

   

  1994
  Adoption of the Mention “Religion Law” allowing the students to achieve an additional distinction on Bachelor’s and/or Master’s level.

   

  1979
  The Institute of Law and Religion starts its activity under the direction of Prof. Dr. Louis Carlen. Ever since its establishment, the Institute has been supported by the Roman Catholic Central Conference. 

   

  1978
  The Senate of the University of Fribourg authorized the establishment of the institute.

   

  1975
  The faculty of law, economy and social science answered positively to a request.

   

  1969
  

  Decision of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Switzerland to organize synods within the dioceses with the involvement of laymen: Synod 72 (1969-1975)

  An interdiocesan preparatory commission of Synod 72 postulated to screen, review and develop further the ecclesiastical law and Swiss constitutional church law. Thereupon the establishment of an academic institution was being considered.

   

  1956
  Creation of the documentation center „Kirche und Staat“ (church and state) by Prof. Dr. Eugen Isele.