The Institution of Chaplains and Religious Rites in Parliaments

The paper analyzes the legal status of chaplains in the structure of parliaments of a number of foreign countries and the peculiarities of religious rites during parliamentary sessions. Several forms of religious presence in legislative activity are distinguished. Firstly, the practice of prayers at the beginning of plenary sessions and organizing other religious services; secondly, it is possible to have religious ministers — chaplains — constantly present during the work of the legislative body. It is noted that a full-fledged institution of chaplains exists only in the USA and Great Britain. The authors point out that chaplains do not have a significant influence on political decisions of members of parliament, since they perform more organizational functions, but they can influence public opinion during periods of important events in the country. The authors support their conclusions with examples from history and judicial practice devoted to the development of the institution of chaplains in the USA and Great Britain.

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