History

The Institute of Law and Religion is the oldest Institute of the Law Faculty of the University of Fribourg. A documentation center, predecessor of the Institute, was established already in 1956. The foundation for the Institute of ecclesiastical law and constitutional church law was laid in 1979. 25 years later it was renamed to Institute of Law and Religion. Many indi-viduals, some of them well-known people, contributed to the development of the Institute.

  • Historical corner marks

     

    2018

    Comprehensive update and extension of the homepage of the institute.

     

    2015
    Since 2015, with the help of Ch. R. Tappenbeck - a free collaborator at the Institute - an internship position at the Legal Service of the Reformed Churches of Bern-Solothurn-Jura has been established. This internship position, which has been available once a year since then, is reserved for graduates of the Mention "Religion Law" of the Faculty of Law.

     

    2007-2011
    Participation in the so-called National Research Programme 58 on „Religion, Staat und Gesellschaft“. 

     

    2004
    New statutes of the Institute and change of its name to “Institute of Law and Religion”.

     

    2003 

    Since 2003, two representatives of the Protestant Reformed Church have also been members of the Institutes board of trustees.

     

    2000

    Launching of an Internet site to offer the activities and services of the Institute to the general public.

     

    1998

    The direction of the institute is being vested in Prof. René Pahud de Mortanges, Head of the Chair for History of Law and Religion Law.

    The book series published by the Institute changes its name from “Freiburger Veröffentlichungen auf dem Gebiete von Kirche und Staat, FVKS” to “Freiburger Veröffentlichungen zum Religionsrecht, FVRR”.
    Since 2003, the Evangelical Reformed Church has had two representatives a members of the board of trustees.

     

    1995-1997
    The joint directors of the Institute are the three Professors Prof. Nicolas Michel, Prof. Pier V. Aimone und Prof. René Pahud de Mortanges.

     

    1994
    Adoption of the Mention “Religion Law” allowing the students to achieve an additional distinction on Bachelor’s and/or Master’s level.

     

    1979
    The Institute of Law and Religion starts its activity under the direction of Prof. Dr. Louis Carlen. Ever since its establishment, the Institute has been supported by the Roman Catholic Central Conference. 

     

    1978
    The Senate of the University of Fribourg authorized the establishment of the institute.

     

    1975
    The faculty of law, economy and social science answered positively to a request.

     

    1969

    Decision of the Roman Catholic Bishops of Switzerland to organize synods within the dioceses with the involvement of laymen: Synod 72 (1969-1975)

    An interdiocesan preparatory commission of Synod 72 postulated to screen, review and develop further the ecclesiastical law and Swiss constitutional church law. Thereupon the establishment of an academic institution was being considered.

     

    1956
    Creation of the documentation center „Kirche und Staat“ (church and state) by Prof. Dr. Eugen Isele.

  • The Institutes research assistants since its establishment

    Research Assistants

    Sub Assistants

    since 2022

    Patrick Widrig

    2021-2022

    Patrick Widrig

    2020-2022

    Lara Aharchaou

    2019-2020

    Saskia Thomi

    2014-2019

    Burim Ramaj

    2017-2019

    Max Ammann

    2008-2014

    Raimund Süess    

    2013-2014

    Elena Rabner

    2006-2007

    Daniel Bucklar

    2013

    Burim Ramaj

    2001-2005

    Erwin Tanner

    2012-2013

    Delia Sauer

    1998-2000

    Gregor A. Rutz

    2005-2007

    Cornelia Rotzetter

    1995-1998

    Daniel Meyer/
    Antoine Frank

    2004-2005

    Sara Elmer

    1992-1995

    Johannes Theler

    2003

    Meret Baumann

    1986-1991

    Franz-Xaver v. Weber

    2002

    Sabine Büttler

    1983-1986

    Niklaus Herzog

    2001

    Salomé Keller

    1980-1982

    Hermann Bischofberger    

    1999-2000

    Katharina Herold

    1979-1980

    Peter Margelist

    		 1988-1989 Ivo Gut

     

  • Former members of the board of trustees

    2005-2018 

    Dr. Philippe Gardaz , President of the board of trustees; former President of the Constitutional Court of the Canton of Vaud; lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Fribourg i. Ue.

     

    1988-2014 
    Prof. Dr. Yves Le Roy, Emeritus Professor at the University of Fribourg

     

    2008-2014
    Dr. iur. Benno Schnüriger, member of the commission of the Roman Catholic central conference of Switzerland (RKZ) and president of the synodal council of the Roman Catholic corporation of the canton of Zurich

     

    2005-2008
    Dr. iur. Hardy Notter, Attorney at law, former President of the Catholic Administration of the Canton of St. Gallen

     

    2003-2010
    P. Dr. Roland-B. Trauffer OP, former Vicar-General of the Diocese Basel, former Secretary of the Swiss Conference of Bishops

     

    2003-2010
    Pfr. Markus Sahli, former Director of the department of internal relations of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches (SEK)

     

    1998-2009
    Prof. Dr. Pier Virginio Aimone, Emeritus Professor at the University of Fribourg

     

    1998-2004
    Prof. Dr. Nicolas Michel, Professor at the University of Fribourg,  Professor an der Universität Freiburg, Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs and Legal Counsel of the United Nations

     

    1995-2000

    lic. iur. Hans Ambühl, Attorney at law and Notary, Secretary General of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education

     

    1995-2001
    lic. iur. Jacques Ducarroz, former Judge at the Administrative Court of the Canton of Fribourg, former Secretary of the „coporation catholique“ of the Canton of Fribourg

     

    1988-1995

    Dr. Peter Burri, Notary

     

    1987-2005
    Dr. Peter Plattner, Attorney at Law, former President of the Catholic Consistory Thurgau, former President of the Roman Catholic Central Conference

     

    1986-1992
    Prof. Dr. Augustin Macheret, Emeritus Professor at the University of Fribourg, former member of the State Council of the Canton of Fribourg

     

    1985-1995
    Dr. Louis Bourgknecht, Attorney at law, former Federal Judge

     

    1979-1983
    Dr. Paul Zbinden, Attorney at law, former member of the National Council as representative of the Canton of Fribourg

     

    1979-1995
    Dr. Walter Gut, former member of the State Council of the Canton of Lucerne

     

    1979-1985
    Prof. Dr. Thomas Fleiner, Emeritus Professor at the University of Fribourg, former Director of the Institute of Federalism

     

    1979-1985
    Dr. Urs. J. Cavelti, former State Judge and Chief Justice of the commercial court of St. Gallen

     

    1979-1995
    Msgr. Dr. Anton Cadotsch, former Secretary of the Swiss Conference of Bishops, former Cathedral Provost of the diocese Basel

     

    1979-2003
    Moritz Amherd, President 1995-2003, Secretary and afterwards President of the Roman Catholic Central Conference

     

    1979-1995
    lic. iur. et lic. oec. Bernard de Torrenté, President 1990-1995, former director general of Crédit Suisse of the Canton of Vaud

     

    1979-1989
    Dr. Max Aebischer, President 1979-1989, former member of the State Council of the Canton of Fribourg