ABOUT US • Organs
President: W. Cole Durham, Jr. ( Provo, U.S.A.)
Multiple honors have come to W. Cole Durham, Jr., including a university professorship, appointment as co-chair of the OSCE Advisory Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and service as vice president of the International Academy for Freedom of Religion and Belief. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Professor Durham has been heavily involved in comparative constitutional law and church-state relations throughout his career. He has published widely on Comparative Law, currently serves as the chair of both the Comparative Law Section and the Law and Religion Section of the American Association of Law Schools, and is a member of several U.S. and international advisory boards dealing with religious freedom and church-state relations.
Multiple honors have come to W. Cole Durham, Jr., including a university professorship, appointment as co-chair of the OSCE Advisory Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and service as vice president of the International Academy for Freedom of Religion and Belief. A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Professor Durham has been heavily involved in comparative constitutional law and church-state relations throughout his career. He has published widely on Comparative Law, currently serves as the chair of both the Comparative Law Section and the Law and Religion Section of the American Association of Law Schools, and is a member of several U.S. and international advisory boards dealing with religious freedom and church-state relations.
Vice President: Ana Maria Célis (Santiago, Chile)
Ana María Celis Brunet was born in Viña del Mar, Chile. She is an attorney at law, Professor and Director of the Center of Religious Liberty of the Facultad de Derecho at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Santiago). She obtained her law degree at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Santiago), and her Canon law degrees (ICL and ICD) at the Facoltà di Diritto Canonico of the Pontificia Università Gregoriana (Rome), where she also received a diploma in Giurisprudenza Matrimoniale Canonica. Since 2000 she has been teaching Canon law and also some courses on Church - State relations. She is the director of the Centro de Libertad Religiosa - Derecho UC that started in 2005 as a center for studying Church-State matters and promoting religious freedom. Since 2005 she has been the secretary of the Consorcio Latinoamericano de Libertad Religiosa.
Ana María Celis Brunet was born in Viña del Mar, Chile. She is an attorney at law, Professor and Director of the Center of Religious Liberty of the Facultad de Derecho at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Santiago). She obtained her law degree at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Santiago), and her Canon law degrees (ICL and ICD) at the Facoltà di Diritto Canonico of the Pontificia Università Gregoriana (Rome), where she also received a diploma in Giurisprudenza Matrimoniale Canonica. Since 2000 she has been teaching Canon law and also some courses on Church - State relations. She is the director of the Centro de Libertad Religiosa - Derecho UC that started in 2005 as a center for studying Church-State matters and promoting religious freedom. Since 2005 she has been the secretary of the Consorcio Latinoamericano de Libertad Religiosa.
Steering Committee
Silvio Ferrari (Milan, Italy) - Life Honorary President
Professor at the Universities of Milan and Leuven, where he teaches Law and Religion and Canon Law. He has been visiting professor in Paris (École Pratique des Hautes Études) and Berkeley (University of California) and is working for many international organizations, including the European Union and the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe. He has founded, together with other professors, the European Consortium for Church and State Research. Professor Ferrari is a member of the Scientific Committee of the Institut européen en sciences des religions (EPHE, Paris) and of the Board of Expert of the International Religious Liberty Association (Silver Spring, Maryland). His main fields of interest are Law and Religion issues in West Europe; Comparative Law of Religions (in particular Jewish Law, Canon Law and Islamic Law); Relations between Israel and the Vatican.
Professor at the Universities of Milan and Leuven, where he teaches Law and Religion and Canon Law. He has been visiting professor in Paris (École Pratique des Hautes Études) and Berkeley (University of California) and is working for many international organizations, including the European Union and the Organization for the Security and Cooperation in Europe. He has founded, together with other professors, the European Consortium for Church and State Research. Professor Ferrari is a member of the Scientific Committee of the Institut européen en sciences des religions (EPHE, Paris) and of the Board of Expert of the International Religious Liberty Association (Silver Spring, Maryland). His main fields of interest are Law and Religion issues in West Europe; Comparative Law of Religions (in particular Jewish Law, Canon Law and Islamic Law); Relations between Israel and the Vatican.
Iván C. Ibán (Madrid, Spain)
Iván C. Ibán, (born in Madrid, 1952) is a Graduate in Economic Sciences and a Doctor of Law from the Complutense University of Madrid. He has been a professor of Canon Law at the University of Cádiz (1983-1989) and is currently a professor of Church and State at the Complutense University. He is a permanent professor on the Gratianus doctorate program (Paris) and has been a guest professor at the Universities of Palermo, Leuven and Siena. He has been on the Executive Committee of the European Consortium for Church and State Research since it was set up and is an editorial consultant for the journals "Il diritto eclesiástico", "Anuario de Derecho Eclesiástico", "Nomokanonica" and "Derecho y Religión". He has written a dozen books and over one hundred academic articles in his speciality.
Iván C. Ibán, (born in Madrid, 1952) is a Graduate in Economic Sciences and a Doctor of Law from the Complutense University of Madrid. He has been a professor of Canon Law at the University of Cádiz (1983-1989) and is currently a professor of Church and State at the Complutense University. He is a permanent professor on the Gratianus doctorate program (Paris) and has been a guest professor at the Universities of Palermo, Leuven and Siena. He has been on the Executive Committee of the European Consortium for Church and State Research since it was set up and is an editorial consultant for the journals "Il diritto eclesiástico", "Anuario de Derecho Eclesiástico", "Nomokanonica" and "Derecho y Religión". He has written a dozen books and over one hundred academic articles in his speciality.
Tahir Mahmood (New Delhi, India)
Now a Hon'ble Member of the Law Commission of India, Professor Dr. Tahir Mahmood has earlier served as Dean of the Delhi University Law Faculty, Chairman of the National Minorities Commission and Expert-Member of the Ranganath Misra Special Commission on Minorities. The illustrious Professor has authored a large number of books in several languages, many of which have been cited with appreciation in the judgments of the Supreme Court of India and of various High Courts. Well known at home and abroad and associated in an advisory capacity with several foreign institutions, the highly reputed academic specializes in the laws on religion, human rights, minorities and family relations.
Now a Hon'ble Member of the Law Commission of India, Professor Dr. Tahir Mahmood has earlier served as Dean of the Delhi University Law Faculty, Chairman of the National Minorities Commission and Expert-Member of the Ranganath Misra Special Commission on Minorities. The illustrious Professor has authored a large number of books in several languages, many of which have been cited with appreciation in the judgments of the Supreme Court of India and of various High Courts. Well known at home and abroad and associated in an advisory capacity with several foreign institutions, the highly reputed academic specializes in the laws on religion, human rights, minorities and family relations.
Juan G. Navarro Floria (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Graduate in law with honors from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, he teaches Civil Law and Law and Religion at the same University. He has founded, together whit other professors, the Latin American Consortium for Religious Freedom, where he had served as President. He is also founder and current President of the Argentine Council for Religious Freedom (CALIR). He has been Chief Advisor at the Secretariat of Religious Affairs in the Argentine Federal Government. He has published books and many academic articles in his field, at home and abroad. He is editorial consultant for the journals “Anuario de Derecho Eclesiástico del Estado” (Spain), “Revista General de Derecho Canónico y Derecho Eclesiástico del Estado” (Spain), “Derecho y Religión” (Spain) and member of the Academic Board of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS) at Brigham Young University (USA).
Graduate in law with honors from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, he teaches Civil Law and Law and Religion at the same University. He has founded, together whit other professors, the Latin American Consortium for Religious Freedom, where he had served as President. He is also founder and current President of the Argentine Council for Religious Freedom (CALIR). He has been Chief Advisor at the Secretariat of Religious Affairs in the Argentine Federal Government. He has published books and many academic articles in his field, at home and abroad. He is editorial consultant for the journals “Anuario de Derecho Eclesiástico del Estado” (Spain), “Revista General de Derecho Canónico y Derecho Eclesiástico del Estado” (Spain), “Derecho y Religión” (Spain) and member of the Academic Board of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies (ICLRS) at Brigham Young University (USA).
Gerhard Robbers (Trier, Germany)
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Robbers was born in Bonn, Germany, in 1950. He received his doctoral degree in law in 1978 and obtained his final law degree in 1980 in Freiburg. From 1981-1984 he served as law clerk to the President of the German Federal Constitutional Court. In 1986 he obtained his habilitation in law. From 1988 to 1989 he was professor of law at the University of Heidelberg. Since 1989 he has been the Professor for Public Law at the University of Trier. He is the Director of the Institute for European Constitutional Law and the Director of the Institute for Legal Policy at the University of Trier. He serves as judge at the Administrative Court of Appeals Rhineland-Palatinate. In 2003-2004 he was president of the European Consortium of Church and State Research, of which he is a member. He is also member of the Advisory Council for Freedom of Religion at ODIHR/OSCE and a member of the committee of EuReSIS NET (European Studies on Religion and State Interaction Network). His primary areas of research are law and religion, constitutional law and international public law. He is an advisor to several national governments and international organizations.
Prof. Dr. Gerhard Robbers was born in Bonn, Germany, in 1950. He received his doctoral degree in law in 1978 and obtained his final law degree in 1980 in Freiburg. From 1981-1984 he served as law clerk to the President of the German Federal Constitutional Court. In 1986 he obtained his habilitation in law. From 1988 to 1989 he was professor of law at the University of Heidelberg. Since 1989 he has been the Professor for Public Law at the University of Trier. He is the Director of the Institute for European Constitutional Law and the Director of the Institute for Legal Policy at the University of Trier. He serves as judge at the Administrative Court of Appeals Rhineland-Palatinate. In 2003-2004 he was president of the European Consortium of Church and State Research, of which he is a member. He is also member of the Advisory Council for Freedom of Religion at ODIHR/OSCE and a member of the committee of EuReSIS NET (European Studies on Religion and State Interaction Network). His primary areas of research are law and religion, constitutional law and international public law. He is an advisor to several national governments and international organizations.
Asher Maoz (Tel-Aviv, Israel)
Asher Maoz is the Founding Dean of the Peres Academic Center Law School. He was for many years on the Faculty of Law at Tel-Aviv University, where he taught Constitutional Law, State and Religion, Freedom of Speech, Family Law and Succession Law. Professor Maoz holds the degrees LL.B. and LL.M., both summa cum laude (Hebrew University), M. Comp. L. (University of Chicago), J.S.D. (Tel-Aviv University) and Doctor Honoris Causa (Ovidius University, Romania). He is founding Editor-in-chief of Law, Society and Culture; former editor, Tel-Aviv University Law Review; member of the Scientific Board, Review Dionysina; Member of the Academic Council of The International Academy for Jewish Leadership; Chair, Law Commission for Journalists’ Privileges; served as academic advisor to the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee on adopting a constitution for the State of Israel; and serves on many other organizations. Has taught at several universities in the United States, Europe, and Australia, and is the author of numerous publications on the intersections of law and religion.
Asher Maoz is the Founding Dean of the Peres Academic Center Law School. He was for many years on the Faculty of Law at Tel-Aviv University, where he taught Constitutional Law, State and Religion, Freedom of Speech, Family Law and Succession Law. Professor Maoz holds the degrees LL.B. and LL.M., both summa cum laude (Hebrew University), M. Comp. L. (University of Chicago), J.S.D. (Tel-Aviv University) and Doctor Honoris Causa (Ovidius University, Romania). He is founding Editor-in-chief of Law, Society and Culture; former editor, Tel-Aviv University Law Review; member of the Scientific Board, Review Dionysina; Member of the Academic Council of The International Academy for Jewish Leadership; Chair, Law Commission for Journalists’ Privileges; served as academic advisor to the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee on adopting a constitution for the State of Israel; and serves on many other organizations. Has taught at several universities in the United States, Europe, and Australia, and is the author of numerous publications on the intersections of law and religion.
Pieter Coertzen (Stellenbosch, South Africa)
Pieter Coertzen is a retired professor of Ecclesiology (Church Law and Church History) at the University of Stellenbosch. He was also the Church Law Advisor (Actuarius) of the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church from 1994 – 2004. Through his research he became involved in the drafting of a South African Charter of Religious Rights and Freedoms and was the Chairperson of a Conference in Johannesburg in 2010 where the Charter was endorsed by the major religions in South Africa. He was elected as chairperson of the newly established SA Council for the Promotion and Protection of Religious Rights and Freedoms. He is currently involved in the establishment of a Unit for the Study of Law and Religion within the Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology in the Faculty of Theology in co-operation with the Faculty of Law at the University of Stellenbosch. He has published extensively in the field of Church Law. His book Decently and in Order – a Theological reflection on the Order for, and the Order in, the Church was published by Peeters, Leuven in 2004. He has also published widely on the Huguenots of South Africa. Some of his latest articles in this field are The Edict of Nantes and Freedom of Religion; The Huguenots of South Africa in History and Memory and The Huguenots of South Africa in Memory and Commemoration. He teaches a course in Comparative Canon Law at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium every year.
Pieter Coertzen is a retired professor of Ecclesiology (Church Law and Church History) at the University of Stellenbosch. He was also the Church Law Advisor (Actuarius) of the General Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church from 1994 – 2004. Through his research he became involved in the drafting of a South African Charter of Religious Rights and Freedoms and was the Chairperson of a Conference in Johannesburg in 2010 where the Charter was endorsed by the major religions in South Africa. He was elected as chairperson of the newly established SA Council for the Promotion and Protection of Religious Rights and Freedoms. He is currently involved in the establishment of a Unit for the Study of Law and Religion within the Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology in the Faculty of Theology in co-operation with the Faculty of Law at the University of Stellenbosch. He has published extensively in the field of Church Law. His book Decently and in Order – a Theological reflection on the Order for, and the Order in, the Church was published by Peeters, Leuven in 2004. He has also published widely on the Huguenots of South Africa. Some of his latest articles in this field are The Edict of Nantes and Freedom of Religion; The Huguenots of South Africa in History and Memory and The Huguenots of South Africa in Memory and Commemoration. He teaches a course in Comparative Canon Law at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium every year.
Secretariat
Cristiana Cianitto coordinator
David García-Pardo
Angelika Günzel
Octavio Lo Prete
Syed Saif Mahmood
Maria Elena Pimstein
Robert I. Smith