Modern paganism in Latin Europe

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Italy, Spain, and Portugal are traditionally Roman Catholic and according to the 2005[ needs update ] Eurobarometer Poll [1] retain an above-average belief in God. France is traditionally Roman Catholic as well and has an above-average fraction of atheists. Romania and Moldova are Eastern Orthodox countries and both are very religious.

The Neopagan movements found in Latin Europe can be divided into New Age spirituality inspired by Celtic, Norse or Megalithic templates on one hand (Neodruidism, Neoshamanism), polytheistic reconstructionism, either focusing on the ancient Roman religion or other native religions of Latin Europe (such as those of pre-Roman Iberia, Italy, and Romania), and political Neopaganism as part of Alain de Benoist's far-right ideology of the Nouvelle Droite on the other.

France

In the 1980s, Alain de Benoist theorized the Nouvelle Droite movement, creating the GRECE in 1968 with the Club de l'Horloge. They advocated a right-wing, ethno-nationalism stance focused on European culture, which advocated a return of paganism.[ relevant? ] Members of the GRECE quit the think tank in the 1980s, such as Pierre Vial who joined the FN, or Guillaume Faye who quit the organization along with others members in 1986. Faye participated in 2006 in a conference in the US organized by the American Renaissance white separatist magazine published by the New Century Foundation. The philosophical background uniting Neopaganism and the Nouvelle Droite is the occultist or esoteric literature of "Radical Traditionalism" of René Guénon, Julius Evola and others. The influence of the Nouvelle Droite goes beyond France and is found in e.g., Belgian (Flemish) neopaganism, such as the brand of Asatru advocated by Flemish neo-fascist and high priest Koenraad Logghe.

The Libre Assemblée Païenne Francophone (LAPF) self-identifies as an association of "convinced free-thinking and humanist pagans". Their Horizons Païens journal appears twice yearly (since 2005). They oppose all kinds of ethnic discrimination. [2]

Italy

The development of Modern Paganism in Italy has been a complex and multifaceted process, shaped by a combination of historical, cultural, and religious factors. While Italy has a rich and ancient pagan past, the emergence of contemporary pagan movements can really only be traced back to the 20th century.

One significant influence on the development of modern paganism in Italy was the revival of interest in ancient Roman religion. Scholars and enthusiasts began to study and explore the religious practices of ancient Rome, seeking to reconstruct and revive these traditions in a modern context. This movement, often referred to as "Roman Reconstructionism," aims to reconnect with the spirituality and rituals of the Roman past. In recent years, some small Roman temples have been established throughout Italy. [3] [4]

In addition to these indigenous influences, modern paganism in Italy has also been influenced by broader international pagan movements. The spread of neo-paganism and Wicca from the English-speaking world had a significant impact on the development of pagan communities in Italy. Books, websites, and gathering places provide opportunities for Italian pagans to connect with like-minded individuals. [5]

The 1970s and 1980s marked a turning point for the modern pagan movement in Italy. During this time, various pagan organizations and groups began to emerge, providing a platform for pagans to come together, share knowledge, and organize rituals and celebrations. These organizations played a crucial role in establishing a sense of community and fostering the growth of paganism in Italy.

Today, modern paganism in Italy continues to evolve and diversify. There is a wide range of pagan traditions and paths followed by individuals and groups, including forms of witchcraft, Druidry, Heathenry, and eclectic pagan practices. Festivals, gatherings, and conferences are held throughout the country, providing opportunities for pagans to come together and celebrate their shared beliefs.

It is important to note that modern paganism in Italy remains a minority religious movement, with a relatively small number of adherents compared to mainstream religions. Despite this, the movement has gained recognition and acceptance over the years, and there is a growing awareness and appreciation of pagan spirituality and practices in Italian society.

Spain

In 2004, Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family issued a warning that "Spain is at risk from the spread of neo-paganism":

In some countries of Europe, there is a temptation to embrace neo-paganism, and although I do not believe that Spain is immediately at risk, nevertheless the risk exists because in today’s world everything gets passed around. [6]

On December 23, 2011, the Spanish Government officially acknowledged Wicca to be a religion, Celtiberian Wiccan Tradition  [ es ] in the Register of religious bodies with the reference 2560-SG / A, being the first country for Europe and the second in the world after U.S., to recognize it.[ clarification needed ] Celtiberian tradition of Wicca, consisting of Fernando Gonzalez [7] in the 1980s from the Hispanic Traditional Witchcraft to which he belongs, is a structured religion through the symbiosis between "traditionalism wizard" (inciatic and mystery), the historical reconstructionist (cultural and archaeological) and "adaptationism" liturgical (conditioning ceremonial) of Hispanic Traditional Witchcraft, paganism, religious worship pre-Christian Celtic and Iberian mainly and those that were previously formed (shamanism, Neolithic and Paleolithic cults).

There is a small amount of Germanic neopaganism found in Spain, which includes the Comunidad Odinista de España-Asatru (COE) founded as Circulo Odinista Español in 1981. [8] The COE was recognized by the Spanish government as a religion, allowing them to perform "legally binding civil ceremonies", such as marriages. COE is the fourth Odinist/Asatru religious organization in the world to be recognized with official status, after those in Iceland, Norway and Denmark. In December 2007, they conducted first legal pagan wedding in Spain, on the beach of Vilanova, Barcelona. [9]

Portugal

Following the line of visibility that the Wiccan Religious Confession, Celtiberian Tradition, imposed throughout the institution, this Tradition Wicca also established in Portugal has taken the first step and once applied for registration in the relevant Register, has just[ when? ] been registered and is therefore has become the first Confession Pagan recognized as religion in the history of Portugal. [10] Thus, the Portuguese public administration has been entered in the Register of Religious Entities Religious Confession to Wicca, Celtiberian tradition with the nomenclature: Data of Criação: 26/6/12 Confissão Wiccan Religious Celtiberian. Permanent Representação. NIPC: 980474531 - CAE / P: 94910. This milestone is also clear that Portugal is de facto the second country in Europe and third in the world after the U.S. and Spain, to legalize a Wiccan Religious Worship.[ clarification needed ]

Romania

See: Zalmoxianism

See also

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References

  1. ↑ http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_225_report_en.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  2. ↑ http://www.lapf.eu/faq.php Libre Assemblée Païenne Francophone, Frequently Asked Questions (French)
  3. ↑ "Templi E Santuari". Tradizione Romana. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  4. ↑ "Temple of Jupiter in Torre Gaia". Pagan Places. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  5. ↑ "Tempio della Grande Dea". Pagan Places. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
  6. ↑ Cardinal Lopez Trujillo warns of risk of neo-paganism in Spain [ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ "Entrevista a Fernando González del Consejo Wiccano Wicca Celtíbera". 14 January 2012.
  8. ↑ "asatru.es". Archived from the original on 2015-10-24. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  9. ↑ "OTRAS RELIGIONES / Discípulos de Odín en Albacete. La Verdad". Archived from the original on 2013-12-06. Retrieved 2013-12-06. "La verdad" daily
  10. ↑ "Wicca Celtíbera registrada como confesión también en Portugal | PNC Spain". Archived from the original on 2017-07-12. Retrieved 2012-08-14.
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