(June 12, 2013) An accord between the Holy See and the Republic of Cape Verde concerning
the legal status of the Church in Cape Verde was signed on Monday at Praia in the
presence of the nation’s prime minister Jose Maria Neves. On the part of the Holy
See it was signed by Archbishop Dominique Mamberti , Vatican’s Secretary for Relations
with States and for Cape Verde by Foreign Affairs Minister Jorge Alberto da Silva
Borges . The Accord, taking note of the good relations that have developed between
the Holy See and Cape Verde in the last thirty-seven years, defines and guarantees
the legal status of the Catholic Church and regulates various areas, including canonical
marriage, places of worship, Catholic institutions of education, the teaching of religion
in schools, the Church’s charitable activities, pastoral care in the military and
penitentiary institutions and hospitals, and the wealth and tax regime. The accord,
( which consists of a preamble of 30 articles) will enter into force on the thirtieth
day after the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification.