Public administration in the face of religious freedom

elective courses

The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the most important situations in which public administration comes into contact with religious issues. Therefore, this is not a full course of religious law, but only a selection of topics that may be useful for graduates planning employment in public administration (e.g. education, tax administration, civil status offices).

Classroom

The course provides students with basic knowledge in the field of religious law. Specific topics were selected so that students obtain tools to solve problems related to the implementation of religious freedom, occurring in the activities of public administration.

1. Legal basis for the activities of religious communities in Poland.

2. Registration of religious associations.

3. Religious associations and personal data protection.

4. Denominational form of civil marriage.

5. Competences of educational authorities related to the organization of religious education in public schools and kindergartens.

6. Pastoral care in public institutions. Cooperation of the state with religious associations in the field of social assistance, protection of cultural assets and national heritage.

7. Religious administration and state-church commissions.

8. Taxation of income and insurance status of clergy.

Basic textbook: A. Mezglewski, H. Misztal, P. Stanisz, Law on religious denominations, Warsaw 2011 (including legal changes since the publication of the textbook). The lecturer may indicate supplementary literature.

After completing the course the student:

- explains the constitutional and legal international foundations of religious communities in Poland;

- indicates the differences regarding the processing of personal data by religious communities and lists the obligations of these entities after the 2018 reform;

- lists the tasks of the head of the registry office necessary to give a religious marriage civil effects;

- characterizes the tasks of educational authorities at various levels related to the organization of religious education in public schools and kindergartens;

- defines the scope of obligations incumbent on public institutions obliged to provide religious (pastoral) care to indicated categories of persons (patients, soldiers, policemen, etc.);

- defines the competences and tasks of religious administration at central and voivodship level;

- explains the specifics of taxing clergy and the distinctness of their insurance status.

class attendance, final test