COVID-19, LAW AND RELIGION IN BELGIUM

ABSTRACT: The Belgian regime of recognized religions has present-ed very few advantages during the COVID-19 crisis, apart from maintaining the salaries of priests. On the contrary, we have observed a number of challenges during this time, including, a lack of empathy by public authorities, including in their public speeches; a high level of conformity by religious authorities working together in an interreligious way; and a high degree of uncertainty as to future actions before the courts by conservative Christians. KEYWORDS: COVID-19, Religious freedom, public authorities, Belgium