THE LEGAL STATUS OF OLD AND NEW RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

"The Legal Status of Old and New Religious Minorities in the European Union" compiles the proceedings of the 30th Annual Conference of the European Consortium for Church and State Research, held in Siena in 2018. The volume revisits the topic of religious minorities 25 years after the Consortium first examined it, highlighting the profound transformations that have reshaped Europe’s religious landscape.

The introductory section, written by Marco Ventura, explains that both "old" and "new" religious minorities have evolved significantly due to social changes, migration patterns, shifting identities, and new political contexts. The book argues that traditional definitions -where "new minorities" are simply those arising from recent migration- are no longer sufficient. Instead, minorities may also include groups formed around new rights-based identities (such as humanist or LGBT communities), segments of former religious majorities that now feel marginalized, or historical minorities that find themselves newly vulnerable.

The central theme is the two-way interaction between minorities and the law: minorities shape legal frameworks through claims and advocacy, while the law simultaneously shapes these groups by defining their rights, categories, and societal recognition. This dynamic tension reveals the challenges of balancing equality, diversity, citizenship, and religious freedom within the European Union.

The volume includes international and European perspectives, along with 19 country-specific chapters grouped by region (Southern/Western, Central/Eastern, and Northern Europe). These chapters analyze constitutional protections, policy developments, legal definitions, and practical issues affecting religious minorities across the EU. The contributions highlight significant differences in national approaches, reflecting a complex and multilayered legal environment.

Overall, the book provides a comprehensive examination of how Europe’s evolving religious pluralism demands renewed legal concepts, updated protections, and careful balancing of competing rights in an increasingly diverse society.