ABSTRACT
State funding of religions has been part of the Belgian constitutional system since its beginning in 1830. It has never been questioned since, as it is considered the heart of the Belgian principle of State neutrality. The political compromise in favour of a regime of mutual independence between the Church and the Belgian State is important to our understanding of the funding mechanisms pertaining to religious and non-confessional organizations. In 1801, Napoleon signed a convention called Concordat' with the Holy See. This Concordat is considered as one of the historical bases for the funding of recognized religions in Belgium, because it ended the conflict between State and Church that was born during the French Revolution and because the aim of the Concordat would be transposed into the Belgian Constitution. After the Belgian Revolution, the State became independent. Globally, Belgian independence was the result of a coalition of Liberals and Catholics.
