This book examines religious organisations and the multifaceted ways in which they engage with morality policymaking in Europe.

For centuries, churches held jurisdiction over key moral issues such as marriage, death, and education. Whilst these domains are now controlled by the state and the formal authority of religious communities in the political sphere has diminished, their impact on value systems, individual behaviour and the implementation of policies remains substantial. Examining a diverse array of morality policies – including abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, prostitution and religious education - in six democratic countries, and from the perspective of Catholic, Protestant and Islamic religious groups, the book considers the extent to which religious organisations engage with the policy process, and the different forms of engagement. It argues that religious organisations play an important role in indirectly governing morality policies through their involvement in the implementation of policies. Acting as intermediaries between the state and citizens, they significantly influence how morality policies are implemented.

The book will appeal to all those interested in public policy, morality policy, policy implementation, and the politics of religion.

Eva-Maria Euchner is Associate Professor at Fliedner University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf, Germany.  

Irina Ciornei is Ramon y Cajal Assistant Professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain.