AGREEMENT SIGNED BETWEEN HOLY SEE AND LATVIA

VATICAN CITY, NOV 8, 2000 (VIS) - Today in Riga, an Agreement was signed between the Holy See and the Republic of Latvia. The Agreement concerns various matters associated with relations between Church and State.

The Agreement was signed by Archbishop Josef Ender, apostolic nuncio in Latvia, for the Holy See and by Ingrida Labucka, minister of Justice, for Latvia.

The Agreement defines the juridical position of the Catholic Church and her institutions. The State guarantees the Church the free exercise of her mission, especially regarding worship, pastoral governance, teaching and other aspects of ecclesial life. The civil value of canonical marriage is recognized. Furthermore, the Republic of Latvia guarantees the Catholic Church the right to administer pastoral care to the faithful in hospitals, health and social care centers, orphanages and in penal institutions. The Church may, in conformity with civil law, freely institute and run charity activities in the social sphere. Officially recognized Catholic schools, of all levels, are effectively made equal to State schools with the same rights and duties. The teaching of religion in State schools is regulated, and the collaboration of the Catholic Church and the State is favored in order to safeguard cultural heritage. Finally, provision is made for the erection of a military ordinariate for the pastoral care of Catholics serving in the army. The agreement will come into force following the exchange of instruments of ratification.

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