ROME (Oct. 14)
The Italian Constitutional Court heard a challenge to legislation adopted during the Mussolini regime in 1930 requiring each minority religious group to obtain permission before naming a new spiritual leader or opening a new house of worship.
The challenge, by a Minister of a Protestant sect, holds that the new post-war constitution guarantees full equality of all religions, giving minority groups the same rights as the Roman Catholic Church and nullifies the prior laws. A decision is expected soon.
