Church to appeal baptism decision

Friday, 10 February 2023 06:30

A Geneva church is heading to the Federal Court following a decision by a cantonal court to ban baptisms in the lake.

The Evangelical Church of Cologny wanted to baptise a man in the lake at Collonge-Bellerive, but permission was denied.

The canton says that only religious orders that have a relationship with the state can hold events on public land.

To get that recognition, religious leaders have to sign an agreement on fundamental rights with the canton – and accept primacy of Swiss law.

The Cologny church refuses to do that.

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