LIECHTENSTEIN, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN

A sovereign principality located on the right bank of the Rhine, the Principality of Liechtenstein is bordered on the west and south by the Swiss cantons of Saint Gallen and Graubünden and the east by the Austrian province of Vorarlberg. A lowland region bordering the Rhine characterizes its west, while the landscape of the principality rises to mountainous terrain and a portion of the Rhaetian Alps to the south. Liechtenstein's economy depends largely on light industry; agricultural crops include corn, wine and fruit. Farming and stock raising have diminished in importance as the population has become increasingly urbanized. Small machinery, dental products, hardware and pottery now account for much of its exports. One of the smallest nations in the world, Liechtenstein derives 30 percent of its state revenues from the nominal incorporation of foreign companies, which establish "letter box" offices in the principality to benefit from Liechtenstein's low business tax rate. Almost half of the principality's labor force are residents of Austria and Switzerland.

The principality was formed in 1719 from the union of the Barony of Schellenberg with the County of Vaduz; it continued to be part of the Holy Roman Empire until July 12, 1806, when it gained its independence as part of the Rhine Federation. It became wholly independent in 1866, and to preserve its neutrality into the future had abolished its army within two years. The 1921 constitution established a constitutional, hereditary monarchy based on democratic and parliamentary principles. Although once linked to Austria, Liechtenstein has retained close ties with Switzerland since World War I; it uses the Swiss franc as its currency, and is in a customs union with Switzerland, which administers its telegraph and postal systems. Women were given the right to vote in national (but not local) elections in 1984.

History . Christianity entered Liechtenstein in the 4th century. Ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the region was exercised by the Diocese of Chur in switzerland probably by the 4th century, certainly by the 5th. Chur also covered Zurich and eastern Switzerland. The highland region belonged from the beginning to the deanery of Unter der Landquart (Capitulum sub Langaro ); the lowland, not until 1370. Previously Liechtenstein was part of the deanery of Walgau (Capitulum vallis Trusianae ). Beginning in 1717 Liechtenstein pertained to the chapter of Walgau; after its independence in 1816 it gained its own chapter under a local vicar (Landesvikar ). During the Protestant Reformation Liechtensteiners remained loyal to the Catholic Church, thanks in good part to the attitude of their civil rulers. Historians have argued that, in 1943, German Chancellor Adolph Hitler considered a plan to take control of the Vatican by deporting Pope Pius XII to Liechtenstein, although this scheme was never realized.

The constitution of Oct. 5, 1921 guaranteed freedom of conscience and of religion to all residents. As the national church (Landeskirche ), the Catholic Church enjoyed the full protection of the government, and was funded in full by the government until the late 1990s, when the relationship between the State and the Church came under renewed scrutiny. While these financial arrangements remained pending through 2002, the government continued to allocate church funds into an escrow account. Other beliefs were granted freedom of worship within the limits of morality and public order, and also received state funding in proportion to their membership. Civil legislation permitted separation from bed and board but not divorce. Pastors were also civil officials. An Evangelical Church was organized in 1881, and in 1961 was formally established in the Principality of Liechtenstein under the patronage of the Reformed Church (Landeskirche ) of Saint Gallen.

In 1997 the Vatican established a new diocese in Vaduz, to be headed by Bishop Wulfgang Haas, a liberal and somewhat controversial former bishop of Chur. Vaduz, like Chur, was immediately subject to the Holy See. Liechtenstein had ten parishes, administered by 16 secular and ten religious priests (see la salette, missionaries of our lady of). Several marist brothers engaged in secondary school teaching, while additional care was offered by the 62 precious blood sisters, members of both Sisters Adorers of the Most Precious Blood and Sisters of the Precious Blood of Schellenberg, Liechtenstein. Religious training remained compulsory in all public schools, unless a parental exemption was requested. The government supported ecumenical dialogues and funded adult education in religion.

Bibliography: a. frommelt, "Fürstentum Liechtenstein," Helvetia Christiana: Bistum Chur, v.1 (Zurich 1942) 209–234; "Das Fürstentum Liechtenstein im Bistumsverband," in 1500 Jahre Bistum Chur (Zurich 1950) 211–221. e. poeschel, Die Kunstdenkmäler des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (Basel 1950). Jahrbuch des Historischen Vereins ür das Fürstentum Liechtenstein (Vaduz 1901–). i. mÜller, "Die Patrozinien des F.L.," ibid. 59 (1959) 303–327. m. h. vicaire and n. backmund, Dictionnaire d'histoire et de géographie ecclésiastiques, ed. a. baudrillart et al. (Paris 1912–) 13:213–221, s.v. "Chur."

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