San Marino
POPULATION 27,730
ROMAN CATHOLIC 99 percent
OTHER 1 percent
Country Overview
Introduction
The Republic of San Marino is the third smallest independent state in Europe. It is situated in central Italy (between the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche) and covers a total area of 24 square miles. In the middle of the country stands Mount Titano.
The San Marino parliament consists of the Grand and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale), with 60 representatives. Two captains regent, who are elected every six months, act as heads of state. The State Congress is the executive organ and is made up of 10 members. Catholics make up almost the whole of the population.
Religious Tolerance
In the "Declaration of Citizen's Rights and Principles of the San Marino Government" (1978), the state guarantees freedom of meeting and association, and expression of thought, conscience, and worship.
Major Religion
Roman Catholicism
DATE OF ORIGIN 301 C.E.
NUMBER OF FOLLOWERS 27,500
History
Saint Marino, the founder of the country, was a stonemason from Dalmatia. In 301 C.E. he established on Mount Titano a community of Christians fleeing religious persecution by the Emperor Diocletian. Until the tenth century the population ruled itself. At the beginning of the eleventh century the state was governed by the Arengo, an assembly of heads of families, which drew up statutes and laws based upon democratic principles. In the fourteenth century the Arengo was replaced by the Grand and General Council.
San Marino became known as a republic and reached its present size in 1462. The history of this small state has predominately been one of freedom and independence, even if San Marino has had to defend itself from external threats on several occasions. There have been just brief military occupations, such as those of Cesare Borgia in 1503 and Cardinal Alberoni in 1739. In the latter case, independence was regained through the intervention of Pope Clement XII, who restored San Marino to its people's government on 5 February 1740.
The Republic of San Marino is part of the Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro. In 1977, at the suggestion of Pope Paul VI, the name of the diocese was changed from Montefeltro to San Marino-Montefeltro, and some parishes were redistributed to adjoining dioceses. The bishopric had been at the fortress of San Leo until 1569, when it was transferred to the town of Pennabilli. Among the most important religious events in the history of San Marino were the papal visits by Julius II in 1506 and John Paul II in 1982.
Early and Modern Leaders
Captain Regent Antonio Onofri has been called the Padre della patria (Father of our native land). In 1796 Napoleon offered San Marino support to widen its territory, but Onofri refused the offer because he believed that expansion and French interference would pose a threat to San Marino's freedom and independence. In 1948 Federico Bigi founded the Christian Democratic Party of San Marino. He also represented San Marino as a judge at the European Court of Human Rights. Another important figure was Giovanni Galassi, ambassador for San Marino (beginning in 1980) and deacon of ambassadors at the Holy See (beginning in 1998).
Major Theologians and Authors
Giovanni Bertoldi (died in 1445), a Franciscan friar and theologian born in San Marino, became bishop of Fermo. He made a translation into Latin and a commentary on Dante's Divine Comedy, which he presented to the bishops reunited at the Council of Constance (1413–18). Thanks to this Latin translation Dante's work began to circulate in Germany.
Another notable theologian was Valerio Maccioni (died in 1676). A member of the Theological College of Padua, he was an advisor to the duke of Brunswick and to the bishop of Morocco.
Among important figures of contemporary Catholicism is Father Ciro Benedettini (born in Serravalle in 1946), who edited Eco di San Gabriele, a Catholic magazine. In 1995 he became vice director of the press office of the Holy See.
Houses of Worship and Holy Places
The Basilica of San Marino, built in the mid-nineteenth century on the site of an ancient parish church, is the most significant place of worship in the country. Pope John Paul II visited it in 1982. Other churches of note are those of San Francesco and San Quirino, as well as the church of San Michele Arcangelo at Domagnano, built in 1542.
What Is Sacred?
In San Marino the Catholic faith takes on the same form as in other western European countries, especially Italy. Devotion must be remembered to the founder saint, whose relics are housed in the Basilica of San Marino. At Baldasserona is the Sacellum of the Saint, a natural cave where Saint Marino first found refuge. It is a popular site for pilgrims to visit.
Holidays and Festivals
The two most significant Catholic feast days are those of Saint Agatha and of Saint Marino. On the Feast of Saint Agatha (co-patron saint of the state), which takes place on 5 February, there is a procession from the town of Borgo Maggiore to the city of San Marino. The independence that was regained in 1740 is also commemorated on this day. Saint Marino, patron saint of the Republic, is celebrated on 3 September. After a High Mass in the Basilica of San Marino, large crowds take part in a procession through the streets of the city, displaying the relics of the saint. In the afternoon there are great town festivities that end with the Palio delle Balestre Grandi, a crossbow competition. In San Marino the Feast of Corpus Domini is a state holiday.
Mode of Dress
In San Marino Catholics do not dress differently from other citizens. Priests and other religious figures follow general Vatican regulations.
Dietary Practices
The Catholic Church does not envisage any special food restrictions for its members. There are only a few days during the year when the church recommends fasting and abstinence from meat.
Rituals
At the Basilica of San Marino there are celebrations for the anniversary of the Arengo, the Militia Feast Day (25 March), and the election and installation (1 April and 1 October) of the captains regent. For baptisms and weddings a church celebration is usually followed by feasting and banquets.
Rites of Passage
Major moments of transition in San Marinese life have traditionally been marked by Roman Catholic ritual.
Membership
In San Marino in the late twentieth century, there emerged Catholic lay movements with thepurposes of drawing lapsed Catholics back to the faith and missionizing among the unbaptized. The most common are Communion and Liberation, the Neocatechumenal Way, and the Renewal Charismatic Catholic.
Social Justice
There are no Catholic schools in San Marino, but San Marinese Catholics are particularly active in state schools. Among the teachers at nursery schools there are always 12 nuns. Catholic teaching is compulsory in all schools, although a student may ask to be exonerated.
Social Aspects
San Marino has a divorce law, but abortion is illegal. In 1997 article 274 of the penal code condemning homosexuality was suppressed. The Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro has been attempting to respond to threats to the Christian concept of family. For example, in 1993 a movement called Coppie in cammino (Couples on the Path) was established by a group of married and betrothed couples seeking to use Christian experience to address marital issues.
Political Impact
Catholicism has always had an indirect impact on public life in San Marino. The most important case is the presence of a San Marino Christian Democratic Party, founded immediately after World War II.
Controversial Issues
One of the most hotly debated ethical subjects in San Marino is a proposed law in favor of abortion rights, which some citizens and political figures advocate. A project that many Catholics are against is the building of a casino on San Marino's territory.
Cultural Impact
Catholicism has had an important cultural role in San Marino. Local artists have drawn their inspiration from religious subjects and have created works for the main places of worship in the Republic. They are not well known outside of their country, with the exception of Maestro Menetto, an architect and stonecutter of the fourteenth century, and Antonio Orafo, who was such a highly esteemed goldsmith during the Renaissance that he became goldsmith of the Holy See. On national television every Saturday there is a slot dedicated to the Sunday gospel, and there are often special programs on religious subjects.
Other Religions
In San Marino there are also, even if not in significant numbers, Jehovah's Witnesses and Muslims. Because of the country's small size, there are no mosques.
Bibliography
Balducci, Cristiana. Geografie e agiografia: Analisi della Vita Sancti Marini e ipotesi sulla libertas perpetua. San Marino: Edizioni del Titano, 1998.
Carrick, Noel. San Marino. New York: Chelsea House, 1988.
Centro di documentazione della Biblioteca di Stato della Repubblica di San Marino, ed. Storia illustrata della Repubblica di San Marino. 3 vols. San Marino: AIEP, 1985.
Edwards, Adrian, and Chris Michaelides. San Marino. Oxford: Clio, 1996.
Foresti, Fabio. Quella nostra sancta libertà: Lingue storia e societànella Repubblica di San Marino. San Marino: AIEP, 1998.
Guardigli, Pier Paolo. Terre e torri: Per una storia economica e sociale della Repubblica di San Marino. San Marino: Edizioni del Titano, 1992.
Rossi, G., ed. A Short History of San Marino. San Marino: C.N. Packett, 1979.
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