The influence of religion on society
97% of the Italian population is baptized, and 90% declares itself Catholic. In the north of the country, and even in Rome, the hold of religion is not as strong as in the south, as in Naples and Sicily, where beliefs are reinforced by a superstition inherited from Antiquity. However, Italians' beliefs do influence today's society. Marriage for all, for example, is still forbidden - even though Italy legislated in 2016 in favor of a Civil Union. And abortion has only been permitted since 1978.
The origins of Christianity
Between the late 1st and early 2nd centuries AD, Mediolanum (Milan) converted to Christianity. In 313, it was chosen by Emperor Constantine for the promulgation of the Edict of Milan proclaiming freedom of Christian worship, which led to the Christianization of the Roman Empire. The Edict of Theodosius in 380 imposed Christianity as the state religion, and the Edict of 391 prohibited pagan worship. Verona, once pagan, was gradually converted. Ancient statues were removed and new places of worship opened. Then Christian orthodoxy took hold in Verona, thanks to Bishop Zeno of Verona.
The 10th and 11th centuries saw the supremacy of several religious orders, such as the Benedictines and the Cistercians, who built abbeys and reclaimed the countryside, thus contributing to the development of the area's agricultural activity, still one of the most important in the country today.
From the end of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century
In Italy, theological faculties disappeared in the 1870s. The apprenticeship situation at that time was quite unusual. Seminaries were completely controlled by the Church and had replaced universities in the training of clergy. Gradually, a rift developed between Church and State.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the critical study of religion became an interest thanks to modernism. For Luigi Salvatorelli, "it was thanks to modernism that historical-religious studies entered Italian culture." The history of religion in Italy was therefore a latecomer to study - compared to other European countries - and really began in the 1920s.
Milan and the Ambrosian Rite
Milan retains a slightly different Catholic rite. Gregorian chant is rarely heard here. Instead, Ambrosian chant is sung. It was created by St. Ambrose, bishop of Milan from 374 to 397. It is said that "persecuted by the empress Justine, the bishop shut himself up with his followers in the church of Milan and, to keep the people occupied, made them sing hymns and psalms in the oriental manner".
