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The purpose of this paper is to explore the registration of real estate used for worship or religious purposes in the Spanish Property Register. The discussion focuses on properties belonging to the Catholic Church, which are registered through the special procedure set out in article 206 of the Ley Hipotecaria (Spanish Real Estate Law), as well as on the enrolment of structural modifications made or added to the registered property. Given that properties used for worship or religious purposes have special characteristics, they are governed by a specific legal framework which must be recorded in the Property Register, so as to ensure proper opposability by third parties. Thus, the argument here is that the Register must also record the cultural/religious function of a given property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immigration has become a more common phenomenon in Spain in recent times and, as a consequence, the number of mixed marriages has also risen. This paper analyses the statistics as regards migration patterns in relation to marriage rates and religious diversity in Spain, so as to explore the meaning and development of the canonical regulation of mixed marriages, in general, and disparity of worship as a matrimonial impediment, in particular. The specific conditions required to obtain dispensation of any such impediment, thus enabling marriage, are addressed in considerable detail. In addition, the article also deals with the regulations set out by the Spanish Episcopal Conference on marriage between Catholics and Muslims. In this regard, possible problems (religious, cultural, etc.) and solutions, as well as legal matters including the risk of nullity relating to such marriages, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of a general overview of funding streams according to source-type and an analysis of the specific means by which religious institutions are financed, this paper explores the economic situation of dioceses in Spain in the years 2007, 2008 and 2009. The focus of this empirical study is on examining the level of dependence on different financial resources based on their origin and the size of the diocese, as well as the use to which such funding is put. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Article 206 of the Spanish Mortgage Act provides a fast, cheap and easy way for the first registration of immovable properties belonging to the Catholic Church. However, a number of doubts have been raised concerning the compatibility of this provision with Articles 14 and 16 of the Spanish Constitution. This paper starts from the canons of construction of the rules contained in Article 3.1 of the Spanish Civil Code in order to argue the full constitutionality of Article 206 of the Mortgage Act; some practical issues that may arise when the Catholic Church registers an immovable property are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In light of the announced reform of the Organic Law on Religious Freedom in Spain, the purpose of this paper is to highlight the grounds on which the reform process should rest and the main points it should address. Different proposals are made regarding both the individual and collective subject of religious freedom, in order to achieve the best possible legal framework for the free exercise of religion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A significant number of associations of the faithful have been established in Spanish dioceses, and play an important part in the life and structure of the Church. Many of these are national or diocesan associations, established as public or private legal persons by the Episcopal Conference or the local Bishop in accordance with the Code of Canon Law and particular canonical regulation. Given that it adapts the regulation of the Code to the needs of each diocese, setting out criteria with regard to the procedure by which associations of the faithful are established, their juridical status and the role of ecclesiastical authority in their regard, such particular law is of great significance. However, it is difficult to come by knowledge of this particular law, especially at a diocesan level. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of particular law relating to associations of the faithful in Spain. The rules defined by the Spanish Episcopal Conference are analyzed, with particular reference to the important 1986 Instruction on the matter. The extensive diocesan rules for associations of the faithful are also compiled in this paper, presenting the main features and the complications to which such regulation may give rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years serious conflicts between freedom of speech and freedom of religion have arisen. These conflicts have attracted the interest of Social Sciences, Law among them. This article examines those conflicts from a legal perspective, studies the concept of defamation of religion and its legal implications, analyzes the concept of hate speech concerning religion as a legitimate limitation to freedom of speech. Finally, the paper exposes the legal doctrine of the European Court of Human Rights on this topic and the Spanish legal protection of religious sentiments as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents the conference delivered by the author in the Actualization Course organized by the Faculty of Canon Law of the University of Navarre on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the promulgation of the Code of Canon Law. The author intends, in one hand, to make an appraisal, in the other, to point out perspectives, problems, areas which need a major reflection, and open questions in the sphere of the consecrated life. In accordance to this, the paper has two well-differentiated parts. In the first, it is intended to present some keys which regulate the actual norms of the part III of book II, about the institutes of consecrated life. In the second, however, some actual questions in the subject are dealt with, which, in the opinion of the author, are charged with foremost interest: the union of the members of the ICL to ecclesial movements, the collaboration of the laity in the religious institutes and, above all, the new forms of the consecrated life (cfr. 605 CIC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the revision of the principal norms agreed with the Church and of the unilateral principal norms of the State, this paper presents the actual situation of the financing of the Catholic Church entities in Spain. The evolution of the tax allowance established in the Spanish National Budget Law since 1988 deserves a particular attention. This tax allowance system has been substituted in 2007 by a new one which will not depend every year of the budget strength of the State but exclusively of the will of the citizens while presenting the Tax declaration about the income of the physical person (in a percentage of 0.7%). The article also studies the mechanism of the distribution of the funds obtained with the tax allowance through the Interdiocesan Common Fund. Finally, the concept of financing is explained and suggestions for the future are pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]