1 State - People - Authorities - 18 Churches - 181 General Provisions See under 101 - CHAPTER ONE Principles

The State recognizes the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Neuchâtel, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Christian Catholic Church as institutions of public interest representing the Christian traditions of the country. Their independence is guaranteed.

The State recognizes the public interest work of recognized Churches (hereinafter: the Churches) in the areas of social service, chaplaincies, and the education of children, adolescents, and adults.

This concordat governs the relations between the State and the Churches in a spirit of collaboration in the service of the people of Neuchâtel.

1. The State provides the Churches with an annual lump-sum subsidy of 1.5 million francs (based on the year 2002). This includes the income from properties confiscated by the State in 1848.

2. The amount of this subsidy is adjusted every five years, by agreement between the Council of State and the Churches.

The subsidy is distributed among the Churches according to a formula agreed upon by them.

In accordance with ordinary legislation governing subsidies, grants may be allocated to Churches or dependent institutions for the services they provide in agreement with the State.

Churches freely but jointly determine the same rate and the same terms for the voluntary ecclesiastical contribution of their members and legal entities.

1. The voluntary church contribution is collected free of charge by the cantonal administration services. The total amount of church contributions collected is remitted by the cantonal administration to the respective churches.

2. Special services requested by the churches are invoiced separately.

3. Upon request, but at least once a year, the churches receive from the cantonal administration a nominal list of church members and legal entities, including the amounts billed and paid.

1. Municipalities that own temples, churches, and chapels are required to keep them available for the Churches and to assume their maintenance and repairs (including lighting, heating, cleaning, and bell ringing).

2. Municipalities provide compensation for organists in cases where this obligation exists at the time of the signing of this concordat. Municipalities that own organs are responsible for their maintenance and repairs.

3. Temples, churches, and chapels primarily maintain a religious purpose and are made available free of charge to the Churches, which have a preferential right to their use. No events that contradict the purposes pursued by the Churches can be authorized therein. The opinion of the concerned ecclesiastical authorities is sought whenever the use of the building is requested.

1. Regarding temples, churches, and chapels that are owned by third parties, the municipalities remain obliged, for these buildings, to provide the services agreed upon at the signing of the present concordat.

2. In agreement with the parishes or church authorities, the municipalities may undertake additional services for the buildings or the service of worship.

1. Municipalities that do not have a place of worship must provide a suitable location free of charge to the Churches for conducting worship services. Additionally, the provisions of Article 9, paragraph 3, are applicable.

2. If several municipalities, in agreement with the concerned Churches, decide on a common place of worship, they shall equitably share the costs incurred by making it available.

The State ensures order and tranquility in and around places of worship.

Confessional or ecumenical religious education is freely provided by the Churches in the public school. The school provides the premises and an appropriate timeslot. This education may be replaced by an ecumenical chaplaincy.

Civil authorities ensure that the necessary facilities and time for catechesis provided by the Churches are granted to students in schools.

1. Churches make themselves available to the State and municipalities regarding the spiritual dimension of human life and its value for social life.

2. They offer their services especially for commissions, working and reflection groups, events, and ceremonies.

The municipalities regularly and free of charge provide the churches with data concerning individuals who have declared themselves as members: name, first name, date of birth, parentage for minors, marital status, origin, and address.

1. The Faculty of Theology of the University of Neuchâtel has a state status in accordance with the decree of the Grand Council of March 27, 1979.

2. Its relations with the Evangelical Reformed Church are governed by a specific agreement.

The concept of unregistered property is abolished. These are now incorporated, without distinction, into state property.

The present concordat is concluded for a duration of ten years. It is tacitly renewed for the same duration unless terminated at its expiration, with a notice period of two years.

The present concordat or any subsequent modifications are subject to the approval of the Grand Council.

This concordat repeals the concordats of November 10 and 13, as well as December 1 and 30, 1942, which were concluded separately with the three Churches, as well as the amendments of July 11, 1958, and May 7, 1980 [1].

This concordat enters into force simultaneously with the Constitution of April 25, 2000 [2].