Waldensian Evangelical Church

Further information: Waldensians

The Waldensian Evangelical Church (Chiesa Evangelica Valdese, CEV) was an Italian Protestant denomination.

Seal of the Waldensian Church, Temple of Rome

The church was founded in the 12th century by Peter Waldo, and centuries later, after the Protestant Reformation, it adhered to Calvinist theology and became the Italian branch of the Reformed churches. As such, the church is a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.

In 1967 the Waldensian Church, which has now 30,000 members in Italy (plus some 15,000 affiliates in Argentina and Uruguay), was a founding member of the Federation of Evangelical Churches in Italy (FCEI). In 1975 the CEV joined forces with the Italian Methodist Church (5,000) to form the Union of Methodist and Waldensian Churches.

According to Italian law, the religious groups that have an agreement with the State (ratified by law) can apply to receive a quota of the 0.8% of Italian taxpayers' taxes (8 per mille). The Waldensian Church decided to use these funds to pursue social, health, educational and cultural objectives and not use them for purposes of worship: so each year the Waldensian Church realizes a public notice to distribute these funds to committed civil society groups in order to achieve those goals.

See also

• Religion in Italy
• Christianity in Italy
• List of Italian religious minority politicians
• Colonia Valdense, town in Uruguay

External links

• Official website