Andorra

The Principality of Andorra, a small, landlocked country located in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, is first mentioned in the act of consecration of the Cathedral of Urgell, dated 839. With the rise of feudalism in western Europe, Andorra became a domain of the county of Urgell in 843. The proximity to the Archbishopric of Urgell, a center of Christianity from as early as 527, was key to this religion being officially implanted in Andorra by the end of the 9th century, although this process did not completely eliminate certain pre-Christian beliefs and attitudes. The Inquisition finally eliminated these practices, which originated from a non-Christian belief in the supranatural. In the 10th and 11th centuries, the bishops of Urgell progressively increased their control. Beginning in the 12th century, Andorra became a domain of the diocese. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the count and the Church were the guarantors of public order and defense of the community. At the same time, the Church, the center of intellectual activity, ideologically justified the political power and the structure of Andorran medieval society. In the 13th century, the Pariatages established the indivisible shared domain between the Bishop of Urgell and the Count of Foix.

The “feudal tradition” was put into question in 1866 with the Nova Reforma. Between 1882 and 1887, three girls’ schools run by nuns of the Order of the Sacred Family were created in Andorra. Until that time, the Consells Comunals were responsible for education, although in the majority of cases the vicars were entrusted with schools. In 1899, the Consell General issued a decree in which all parishes of the country were obliged to have a male and a female schoolteacher. Under this decree, the [Page 35]French co-princes attempted to increase the presence of French culture and language by opening five secular French schools between 1900 and 1913. This was an attempt to counter the increasing weight of the episcopal co-princes. In 1931 and 1935, two new Catholic schools opened in Andorra.

Beginning in the 1960s, Andorra underwent a modernization process. The constitution of 1993 includes the separation of church and state and freedom of religion and guarantees the Roman Catholic Church “the free and public practice of its activities and the continuation of its special collaboration with the State, in accord with Andorran tradition” (Constitució d'Andorra [“Constitution of Andorra”], Article 11:3). In 2008, the Vatican and the Andorran government signed an agreement that guarantees the ability of the Catholic Church to carry out its mission and establishes that cultural assets destined for worship are the charge of the state. It is also stated that nonreligious centers shall teach religion outside school hours and only to students who so desire. It also regulates the economic and tax regimen of nonlucrative activities and the acquisition of objects designed for worship. At present, there are two congregational centers in addition to the public schools in Andorra.

Today, Catholicism (followed by 80%–95% of the population of Andorra) has a great influence on the social and cultural life. September 8, feast of the Virgen of Meritxell, and December 25, Christmas, are official holidays. Other Christian groups include the Anglican Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Reunification Church, the New Apostolic Church, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. People of other faiths live in Andorra: Judaism (estimated at 100) and Hinduism and Islam (primarily made up of 2,000 North African immigrants). The authorities reportedly expressed concern that some methods used by religious organizations might affect public health, safety, morals, or order. In spite of negotiations for some years between the Muslim community and the government, no mosque has been built. The Islamic Cultural Center has provided approximately 50 students with Arabic lessons. The government and the Moroccan community have not yet agreed on a system to allow children to receive Arabic classes in school outside the regular school day. The government is willing to offer Arabic classes, but the Muslim community has not been able to find a suitable teacher.

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