U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999 - Monaco
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Publication Date | 9 September 1999 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, U.S. Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999 - Monaco , 9 September 1999, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6a88248.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Comments | The Annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom describes the status of religious freedom in each foreign country, and government policies violating religious belief and practices of groups, religious denominations and individuals, and U.S. policies to promote religious freedom around the world. It is submitted in compliance with P.L. 105-292 (105th Congress) and is cited as the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Section I. Freedom of Religion
The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respects this right in practice.
Roman Catholicism is the state religion, and most of the 6,000 citizens adhere to this religion. The Constitution provides the nearly 25,000 noncitizens who live in the principality with the same religious freedom as citizens.
There are five Catholic churches in the principality and a cathedral presided over by an archbishop. The Catholic Mass generally plays a central role in state festivities, such as the annual national day celebration. Protestantism is the next most practiced religion, with two churches in the principality. Most noncitizens also are either Catholics or Protestants, although there are believed to be some Jews, Muslims, or members of other world religions. There are no mosques or synagogues.
No missionaries operate in the principality; proselytizing is strongly discouraged. There is no law against proselytizing; however, any group or association that wants to be active must, under the Civil Code, apply for permission to operate from the Government and religious "sects" routinely are denied such permission.
There was no change in the status of respect for religious freedom during the period covered by this report.
There were no reports of religious detainees or prisoners.
There were no reports of the forced religious conversion of minor U.S. citizens who had been abducted or illegally removed from the United States, or of the Government's refusal to allow such citizens to be returned to the United States.
Section II. Societal Attitudes
Relations among the various religious communities present in the principality are amicable.
Section III. U.S. Government Policy
The U.S. Consulate in Marsailles discusses religious freedom issues with the Government in the overall context of the promotion of human rights.
