Concordat of 1954

The Concordat of 1954 is a treaty concluded between the diplomats of the Holy See and the leadership of the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic offers religious freedom, but the Catholic Church still enjoys certain rights, in particular due to the concordat.

Use of public funds for Church needs and low customs duties on Church goods are two favors given to the Catholic Church by the government.

Catholic marriage ceremonies are the only religious marriage ceremonies that are recognized by the state, but legal marriages are also available. Certain Protestant churches have also asked for official recognition under this agreement.

Under Rafael Trujillo's government, the power of the Catholic Church was limited. Although the Church remained apolitical during much of the Trujillo era, a 1960 pastoral letter of protest against mass arrests of government opponents seriously strained the relationship with the government. The papal nuncio’s attempts to administer humanitarian aid during the 1965 civil war were hampered and the struggle intensified.

The bishops continued to issue statements of protest against human rights violations and poor living standards for the population throughout the 1970s and the 1980s.

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