Belgium Kulturkampf

sketch in satirical magazine la bombe of 26 october 1878

well 19th. century, catholic church dominated education in belgium , every attempt reform schools met fierce resistance catholic church.

the struggle reached pivotal point under liberal government of walthère frère-orban van humbeeck (see nl:regering-frère-orban ii). 1879 1884 there political crisis on state control of education , religious courses in public (see first school war). on 1 june 1879, frère-orban passed education act secularizing primary education. new law imposed recognized diplomas teachers, stipulated state supervision of schools , stripped catholicism of status basis of education. religious instruction in schools possible outside curriculum on request of parents. municipalities required supply @ least 1 neutral school , founding or subsidising private schools banned. new law on secondary schools in same vein. guarantee parents freedom of choice between religious , neutral schools. 1883, 3,885 secular schools had opened across country.

to catholic church declaration of all-out war. called boycott of these new schools , managed mobilise entire catholic camp. staff , supporters of public schools , parents sent children denied communion , in effect excommunicated. government cut diplomatic relations vatican , measures against rebellious civil servants , clergy added fire heat. church required priests establish catholic schools in every parish , attendance of catholic schools rose 13 percent on 60 percent.

in part due conflict, liberals lost elections in 1884. catholic government under jules malou amended education law providing public support religious schools and, in 1895, religious education became compulsory in schools. on, changing majorities in parliament, regulations made either more in favour of church or more in favour of liberals, each time dissatisfaction of opposition. struggle resulted in development of 2 opposing school systems: so-called religious free schools , government schools. dispute remained unsolved , broke out again in 1950s (second school war).