The constitution and other laws and policies protect religious freedom. The country maintains a public “meditation and prayer” site in the capital for use by worshipers of any religion.
Although Catholicism is dominant, it is not the state religion, and the law prohibits discrimination based on religion. Catholic principles permeate state institutions symbolically; for example, crucifixes sometimes hang on courtroom and government office walls. The Catholic Church receives direct benefits from the state, funded by income tax revenue. Taxpayers may request that 0.3 percent of their income tax payments be allocated to the Catholic Church or to “other charities,” including other religious groups. Any charity or religious group can obtain this benefit by registering as a nonprofit organization based in the country. If a portion of an income tax payment is allocated to an organization, the organization will be contacted by tax authorities to prove its legitimacy and to make available its financial statements. It can register and prove its status as a nonprofit at that time and still receive the allocation.
There are no private religious schools; the school system is public and state-financed. Public schools provide Catholic religious instruction; however, students may choose without penalty not to participate.
The government observes the following religious holidays as national holidays: Epiphany, Feast Day of Saint Agatha, Easter, Corpus Domini, All Saints’ Day, Commemoration of the Dead, Immaculate Conception, and Christmas.