Roman Catholic Central Conference of Switzerland
The Roman Catholic Central Conference of Switzerland (rkz) is an association in which 24 cantonal organizations of the Roman Catholic Church in Switzerland and the dioceses of Lugano and Sion are united . The association has existed since 1971.
structure
Due to the requirements for public law recognition required by most of the cantons, such as the democratic structure and financial transparency, which the hierarchically organized episcopal church does not meet, cantonal church organizations emerged in Switzerland, especially in the course of the 19th century. The rkz is the amalgamation of these national churches organized under constitutional law and thus the counterpart to the Swiss Bishops' Conference , with which it cooperates institutionally.
The highest body of the rkz is the 52-member plenary assembly. Each member organization is represented by two delegates. The plenary assembly meets at least three times a year. It appoints the five members of the Presidium and the three standing commissions (Finance Commission, Commission for State Church Law and Religious Law and Commission for Communication and Public Relations). Since the plenary assembly on 29./30. November 2019 Renata Asal-Steger from the Canton of Lucerne presides over the Roman Catholic Central Conference of Switzerland.
The General Secretariat, based in Zurich, is responsible for the management. Daniel Kosch acts as General Secretary with an advisory voice in the Presidium.
Members of the Roman Catholic Central Conference of Switzerland
The Roman Catholic Cantonal Church of Schwyz joined the rkz on December 1, 2019 following a decision by the Cantonal Church Council and a referendum vote. She previously held guest status.