             ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES) g CAP. 358.        1
CHAPTER 358
ECCLESIASTICAL ENTITIES (PROPERTIES) ACT
To provide for the implementation of the Agreement signed on the 28th
day of November, 1991, between the Holy See and Malta relative to the
transfer to the State of such immovable property in Malta as is not
required by the Catholic Church for pastoral purposes and on the
determination of certain issues pertaining to the relations between the
Church and the State as regards matters of patrimony.
(12th June, 1992) *
Enacted by ACT IV of 1992. 
Short title.
(Properties) Act.
Interpretation.
"Agreement" means the Agreement entered into between the
Holy See and Malta, signed on the 28th day of November 1991,
relative to the transfer to the State of such immovable property in
Malta as is not required by the Catholic Church for pastoral
purposes and on the determination of certain issues pertaining to
the relations between the Church and the State as regards matters of
patrimony; which Agreement was done in two originals in the
English and Italian language. The text of the said Agreement
(without the annexes thereto) is reproduced in the Schedule to this
Act. A copy of the Agreement, was laid on the Table of the House
of Representatives on 29th November, 1991 and 25th May, 1992
(as to the annexes);
"appointed day" means the day on which the Government of
Malta and the Holy See exchange an official communication that
the full implementation of all the provisions of the Agreement
through the appropriate legal instruments according to their
respective legal systems has taken place. The Prime Minister shall,
by notice in the Gazette, give notification of such appointed day; †
"Control Committee" means the Committee set up in terms of
article 17 of the Agreement;
"ecclesiastical entity" means any entity of the Roman Catholic
Apostolic Church in Malta, in terms of the Code of Canon Law;
"Joint Office" means the office set up in virtue of section 4 of
this Act.
Ratification of 
Agreement.
Cap. 304.
3. The Government of Malta is for the purposes of the
Ratification of Treaties Act and of any other law, authorised to
ratify the Agreement.
Establishment of 
Joint Office.
4. (1) There is hereby established an office to be known as
the Joint Office which shall have the functions referred to in the
* See  Government Notice No. 378 of 12th June, 1992.
† 18 February, 1993 -  see  Legal Notice 57 of 1993.
  2      CAP. 358. h              ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES)
Agreement and any other function which the Parties to the
Agreement may, from time to time, by common consent, determine.
(2) Corrections and additions to the lists of property referred to
in articles 1, 5, 8, 9 and 10 of the Agreement shall, where
necessary, be made by the Joint Office with the approval of the
Control Committee, and a copy of such corrections and additions
shall be laid on the Table of the House every three months.
(3) Appointments to the Joint Office shall be made by the
Government following agreement with the Holy See. Secondments
of employees from the Archbishop’s Curia shall be regulated by the
Agreement.
Registration at the 
Land Registry.
Cap. 296.
5. (1) Without prejudice to any right belonging to any third
party, the title to immovable property to which this section applies
shall be registerable and be registered in the Land Registry by the
Joint Office in the name of the Government of Malta where such
immovable property is transferred in virtue of this Act to the
Government of Malta on the appointed day or in the name of the
ecclesiastical entity by which the immovable property is retained
and confirmed on the appointed day in virtue of this Act, as if the
land to which such title refers were situate within a Registration
area so declared in virtue of section 10 of the Land Registration
Act, and thereupon, subject to the provisions of the following
subsections of this section the Land Registration Act shall apply
thereto as if that land were so situate.
(2) Where title to land has been registered in accordance with
this section, then, without prejudice to any rights belonging to third
parties and in particular without prejudice to any registration made
in the Public Registry, Valletta, or Gozo, such title shall be deemed
to have been registered on the appointed day.
(3) Without prejudice to any rights belonging to third parties,
the Land Registrar shall register the immovable property with
absolute title without the need of the production of any proof of
title other than a certificate issued by the Joint Office stating that
the property is one to which the Agreement refers, and was on the
appointed day in the possession of the ecclesiastical entity in whose
name it is being registered or by whom it is transferred to the
Government of Malta in accordance with this Act. Such certificate
shall state any qualifications or limitations to the title of which the
Joint Office may be aware, and the Joint Office shall, where these
are available to it, produce any further documentation relative to
the title to the property being registered.
(4) With respect to third parties the registration shall have
effect as if the title were registered only as one of a possessory
nature but with respect to the Government and to ecclesiastical
entities the title shall be deemed to be an absolute title (other than
any qualification that may arise from the certificate issued by the
Joint Office) and shall be indefeasible:
Cap. 296.
Provided that where the Land Registrar is in accordance
with section 49 of the Land Registration Act, satisfied either from
the documents produced with the application for registration or
             ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES) g CAP. 358.        3
otherwise that he may issue a title which is absolute also in regard
to third parties, the said Registrar may issue such a title.
(5) This section applies to such immovable property which, as
certified by the Joint Office, is subject to the Agreement and is on
the appointed day in the possession of the relative ecclesiastical
entity.
(6) For the purpose of this section, Third Party means any
physical or juridical person other than the Government of Malta, a
body corporate established by law, an ecclesiastical entity or any
person acquiring title to the land in question from the Government
of Malta, from a body corporate established by law or from an
ecclesiastical entity after the appointed day.
Transfer of 
immovable 
property to 
Government.
Cap. 161.
6. (1) The Government of Malta in virtue of this Act, is
hereby acquiring with effect from the appointed day and under the
terms and conditions and for the price indicated in the Agreement,
the immovable property which in accordance with the same
Agreement is to be transferred by the relative ecclesiastical entities
to whom the Agreement refers, and for this purpose the Minister
responsible for finance shall issue stock under the provisions of the
Local Loans (Registered Stock and Securities) Ordinance in
payment by the Government to the ecclesiastical entities of the
price due to them, or to the Foundation for Church Schools, as
provided for in the Agreement.
Cap. 161.
(2) The stock issued in accordance with subsection (1) of this
section shall be regulated by the terms of the Agreement and in so
far as they are not inconsistent with the said Agreement, by and
under the provisions of the Local Loans (Registered Stock and
Securities) Ordinance.
Cap. 345.
Exchange Act, and for the purpose of subsection (3) of section 3
thereof, the stocks issued in accordance with subsection (1) of this
section may, subject to the provisions of the Agreement, be traded
between ecclesiastical entities outside the Malta Stock Exchange.
Formalities and 
evidence of 
transfer.
7. The transfer of the immovable property to which section 6
applies shall be followed by the registration of the transfer of the
title to the land in the Land Registry where the title to the land has
already been registered, or by the registration of the land in the
name of the Government of Malta where the title to the land had
not previously been registered. Such registration of title or transfer
shall be effected upon the issue of a certificate by the Joint Office
to the Land Registrar to the effect that the land has been transferred
from the ecclesiastical entity to the Government of Malta, and no
further formality shall be required to effect the transfer other than
this Act.
Succession in 
rights and 
obligations.
8. Saving as provided by article 4 of the Agreement, or where
any other provision of the Agreement provides otherwise, the
Government shall succeed the ecclesiastical entities in all real
rights, interests, obligations, burdens, (with the exclusion of pious
burdens), and actions pertaining to the properties transferred to it
by virtue of the Agreement. 
  4      CAP. 358. h              ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES)
Special arbitration. 9. (1) Notwithstanding any provision of any other law an
award given in an arbitration as is provided for in paragraph 1 of
article 13 of the Agreement shall be valid and be enforceable on the
Government or ecclesiastical entities as the case may be.
Cap. 12. (2) The provisions of the Code of Organisation and Civil
Procedure relating to arbitration shall in so far as they are not
inconsistent with the provisions of subsection (1) of this section or
of paragraph 1 of article 13 of the Agreement or unless otherwise
agreed between the Government of Malta and the Maltese
Episcopal Conference, shall apply to an arbitration as is referred to
in subsection (1) of this section.
Agreement to have 
force of law.
10. (1) The provisions of the Agreement shall be part of the
law of Malta and enforceable as such, and any provisions of any
other law which is inconsistent with this Act or the Agreement
shall, with regard to the matters referred to in this Act or the
Agreement, be deemed inoperative and unenforceable.
(2) In this Act and in the schedule thereto, if there is any
conflict between the English and any other text, the English text
shall prevail.
(3) The period established by article 18 of the Agreement as
extended by the common consent of the parties shall be operative
for the purpose of the Agreement.
(4) Copies of the annexes to the Agreement which have been
laid on the Table of the House of Representatives shall be enrolled
by the Government in the records of the Chief Notary to the
Government. 
             ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES) g CAP. 358.        5
SCHEDULE
(Section 2)
(Text of the Agreement in English and Italian)
The HOLY SEE and the REPUBLIC OF MALTA,
considering, on the part of the Holy See, the principles declared by the Second
Ecumenical Vatican Council and enforced by the Code of Canon Law concerning the
use of temporal goods belonging to ecclesiastical entities; the particular
circumstances that characterize the pastoral decisions of the Church in Malta; the
needs resulting from the commitment to evangelization and charity, also with
reference to the criteria approved in 1973 for the administrative reform in the
Ecclesiastical Province of Malta; the exigencies of the common good of Maltese
society, above all with regard to major social expectations;
and considering also, on the part of the Republic of Malta, the need to facilitate
the application to social purposes of the property of ecclesiastical entities;
have decided to enter into the present Agreement on the transfer to the State of
such immovable ecclesiastical property as is not required for pastoral purposes and
on the determination of certain issues pertaining to the relations between the Church
and the State as regards matters of patrimony.
Wherefore, the Holy See, as represented by Msgr. Pier Luigi Celata, titular
Archbishop of Doclea, Apostolic Nuncio to Malta, and the Republic of Malta, as
represented by Dr Edward Fenech Adami, Prime Minister, have by common accord
established as follows:
Article 1
1. All the immovable property belonging to ecclesiastical entities in Malta and
Gozo is transferred to the State, with the exception of that described hereunder:
( a ) the property which, as attested to by means of a declaration or in the
judgement of the ecclesiastical Authorities:
(i) is currently used (Annex 1), or foreseen to be useful in future
(Annex 2), for the institutional purposes of the ecclesiastical
entities that possess it or of other ecclesiastical entities;
(ii) is contiguous to, or overlooking, or in any way connected with,
any property mentioned in Annexes 1 and 2, or is subject to or
enjoys easement over it (Annex 3);
(iii) is the object of a promise of sale, emphyteusis or alienation under
any other title that was entered into before the date of the present
Agreement and that is still binding, and has been presented for
due approval to the Holy See (Annex 4);
( b ) the temporary  utile dominium  and the right of usufruct of property
belonging to third parties;
( c ) property which is required for the purpose of exchange as mentioned in
article 10 (Annex 5);
( d ) property connected with particular circumstances (Annex 6).
2. Ecclesiastical property to be transferred to the State in terms of paragraph 1
  6      CAP. 358. h              ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES)
of this article, which is the subject-matter of a lawsuit to which an ecclesiastical
entity is a party, shall not be transferred to the State before such suit is determined
by means of a final judgement or of a compromise between the parties.
Article 2
1. The Government shall use the property transferred to it by virtue of the
present Agreement to promote the safeguarding of the environment and the
development of agriculture, and to meet the Country's most pressing social
requirements, such as social housing and public utilities, as well as for humanitarian,
educational and cultural purposes. The aims and activities of political parties and of
entities directly or indirectly connected with them are not, however, to be considered
among such purposes in the interpretation of this article.
2. This same property shall not be transferred, directly or indirectly, to persons
or entities whose nature, aims and activities are not in conformity with the moral
teachings of the Church.
3. The transfer of this same property by the State, for the purposes set out in
paragraph 1 of this Article, shall be made by tender after a call for same in the Malta
Government Gazette or, in the cases contemplated by law, on the basis of a
graduated scale of points or by lot and, saving what is laid down in this article, shall
be effected also according to the provisions of the Disposal of Government Land
Act, 1976 or, in case of total or partial repeal of this law, in conformity with its basic
principles.
Article 3
As on the date of coming into force of the present Agreement all the property at
present in the possession of ecclesiastical entities whether retained by them or
transferred to the State by virtue of the present Agreement:
( a ) is deemed for all intents and purposes as having been already registered
with absolute title for the purposes of the Land Registration Act, 1981,
saving any rights belonging to third parties. "Third parties" is
understood to refer to persons other than the Government or any other
public entity and the Church or any ecclesiastical entity. Each party
recognizes for all purposes the title of the other party to property it
retains or acquires in accordance with the terms of the present
Agreement and thereby each party renounces to any right or action
against the other party concerning the title of said property including,
without prejudice to the generality of the above stated renunciation, any
right of action under the Land Registration Act, 1981;
( b ) with regard to the Government or to other public entities is confirmed as
to its title of ownership and possession, whenever necessary, in respect
of any lack or defect of title, in such a way that it is considered as
belonging to those same ecclesiastical entities, notwithstanding any
other provision of law;
( c ) is freed, notwithstanding any other provision of law, from any
obligation and condition, or in any case from any restriction whatsoever
relating to its use and free disposability, deriving from any other
provision of law or from any contract entered into by an ecclesiastical
entity of the one part and the Government or another public entity of the
other part.
             ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES) g CAP. 358.        7
Article 4
1. Any arrears due to ecclesiastical entities in respect of property transferred
by them to the State by virtue of the present Agreement, shall be paid to the same
ecclesiastical entities to which they are due.
2. Notwithstanding the transfer of the property mentioned in the preceding
paragraph having been effected, the said ecclesiastical entities shall retain
unimpaired against their debtors, with priority over any future rights of the State, all
their rights of action, of execution and of recourse resulting from non-payment.
Article 5
Ecclesiastical property transferred to the State by virtue of the present Agreement
is classified and valued on the basis of the categories, the prices and the rates of
capitalization specified in Annex 7. The said property is listed, according to such
criteria, in Annex 8.
Article 6
1. ( a ) In compensation for the property transferred to it, the Government
issues Local Registered Stock and delivers to the Church bonds of the
nominal value of one hundred Maltese liri and multiples thereof, free of
duty on documents, maturing after ten years, at a seven  per centum
annual rate of interest payable every six months, negotiable, and made
out, according to the obtaining canonical norms, in the name of the
ecclesiastical entities transferring the property and, in the amount
determined by the ecclesiastical authorities, in the name of the
Foundation for Church Schools.
( b ) The annual rate of interest of such bonds shall be revised upon the lapse
of every period of two years, starting from the date of emission of the
same bonds, in such a way as to maintain it at one percentage point
lower than the normal maximum lending rate of interest allowed by law,
it being understood that it cannot fall below seven  per centum.
( c ) On the date of maturity, the same bonds shall be redeemed by the
Government at a premium of ten  per centum  over their nominal value.
( d ) The said bonds may be freely sold to the public with the prior
authorization of the Maltese Episcopal Conference, up to a total
nominal value of not more than five million Maltese liri  per annum.
Beyond this amount, these bonds may be transferred only with the
authorization of the Ministry of Finance. The transfer of bonds between
ecclesiastical entities, however, does not require such authorization, is
not taken into account in the computation of the total amount that can be
transferred annually and shall be exempt from duty on documents.
2. ( a ) On the date when the present Agreement comes into force, the
Government shall deliver to the Maltese Episcopal Conference, which
shall in turn transmit to those entitled to them, certificates for the total
nominal value equal to ninety-five  per centum  of the total value of the
property transferred to the State, as determined according to Annexes 7
and 8 mentioned in article 5.
( b ) On completion of the procedures required for the transfer of all the
property to the State, any difference that might result between the total
  8      CAP. 358. h              ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES)
nominal value of the bonds issued to the Church and the value of the
property actually transferred to the State according as to whether this
latter value exceeds the former or  vice versa , shall be made good by the
Government through the issue of bonds of the same tenor as those
mentioned in paragraph 1 of this article and maturing on the same date
as those bonds, together with the interest due from the date of the
coming into force of the present Agreement, or, respectively, shall be
reimbursed to the Government by the Maltese Episcopal Conference
together with the interests received from the same date.
Article 7
1. If in any future alienation of property transferred to it by virtue of the
present Agreement the Government shall realize a price exceeding by more than
thirty  per centum  - after taking into account inflation calculated according to the
index published in terms of Ordinance XIXA of 1959, as subsequently amended -,
the amount paid to the Church for the same property, the Government shall issue to
the Foundation for Church Schools bonds of the same tenor as those mentioned in
article 6, of the nominal value equal to the difference between such price and the
figure resulting from the sum of the amount already paid to the Church, increased by
the rate of inflation that might have intervened, and of thirty  per centum  of the
amount so calculated.
2. What is laid down in paragraph 1 of this article shall apply for a period of
thirty years, from the date of the coming into force of the present Agreement.
3. ( a ) The Government (Land Department) shall, within the thirty-first day of
March of each year, supply the Maltese Episcopal Conference with the
list of transfers, made during the preceding year to third parties, of
property acquired by the State in virtue of the present Agreement.
( b ) Within the thirtieth day of June of each year, the Government shall pay
to the Foundation for Church Schools whatever amount shall be due to
it, on account of the transfers effected during the preceding year, in
application of what is laid down in paragraph 1 of the present article.
Article 8
The Government, notwithstanding any other provision of law, is hereby returning
to the Church the property previously expropriated from her of which it has not made
use and which is required for pastoral purposes. Such property is listed in Annex 9.
Article 9
1. The State transfers the  directum dominium  that it owns to such ecclesiastical
entities as shall have the perpetual or temporary  utile dominium  of property utilized
for pastoral purposes, in such a way that the same entities acquire absolute
ownership of such property. This property is listed in Annex 10.
2. The amount due for the redemption and the relative acquisition referred to in
the preceding paragraph is determined at the rate established by law or, where the
rate is not specified by law, according to the criteria of valuation set out in Annex 7
mentioned in article 5.
3. The redemption and the relative acquisition of the property mentioned in
             ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES) g CAP. 358.        9
paragraph 1 of the present article have the effect of freeing that same property for the
future from every obligation and condition or, in any case, from any restriction
whatsoever relating to their use and free disposability, deriving from any provision
of law or contract entered into by an ecclesiastical entity of the one part and the
Government or another public entity of the other part.
Article 10
1. The Government, notwithstanding any other provision of law regarding the
disposal of immovable property by the State, transfers to the Church such
immovables owned by it requested by her for pastoral purposes, and which are listed
in Annex 11.
2. The Government agrees to exchange the immovables mentioned in the
preceding paragraph for others belonging to ecclesiastical entities and which are of
equal value, as shall be determined by mutual agreement.
3. Should agreement not be reached about the exchange mentioned in the
preceding paragraph, the value of the immovables mentioned in paragraph 1 of this
article shall be determined according to the criteria of valuation specified in Annex 7
mentioned in article 5.
Article 11
1. In the drawing up of plans for an area designated for residential housing, the
Government, after reaching agreement with the diocesan Bishop concerned, shall
allocate an adequate and suitable area for the Church’s pastoral services (such as, for
example, a church, rectory, religious house, buildings and open spaces for religious,
catechetical, charitable, socio-cultural activities).
2. The acquisition in ownership by the Church of the area mentioned in the
preceding paragraph shall be made and be financially regulated as follows:-
( a ) if the area forms part of the property transferred to the State by the
present Agreement, the Government, notwithstanding any other
provision of law regarding the disposal of immovable property by the
State, shall transfer it to the Church for a consideration equal to that
which had been paid by the Government to the ecclesiastical entity that
had possessed it.
( b ) if the area forms part of the State’s property and had derived to it from
other sources, the Government, notwithstanding any other provision of
law regarding the disposal of immovable property by the State, shall
transfer it to the Church at the price equal to that established by law as
compensation for land expropriated for public purposes.
( c ) if the area belongs to third parties, the Government shall expropriate it,
and shall claim from the Church a consideration equal to that which it
will pay to the owner according to what the law determines for the
acquisition of property for public purposes.
Article 12
All transfers contemplated by the present Agreement shall be exempt from duty on
documents.
  10      CAP. 358. h              ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES)
Article 13
1. Pending cases concerning expropriations of ecclesiastical property made by
the Government in terms of the Land Acquisition (Public Purposes) Ordinance or
otherwise, shall be resolved in a definitive manner by means of an arbitration award
given by a judge or a retired judge appointed by common agreement between the
Government and the Maltese Episcopal Conference; he shall proceed to determine
the value of each property on the basis of Maltese law, availing himself of the
services of an expert appointed by the ecclesiastical Authorities and of another
appointed by the Government.
2. In the absence, in terms of the preceding paragraph, of agreement about the
appointment of the arbitrator, or of appointment of an expert within two months
following a request submitted by the other party, the pending cases shall be decided
in accordance with the normal procedure established by law for expropriations, -
provided that the Commissioner of Land shall issue the notices to treat within twelve
months from the coming into force of the present Agreement and, where necessary,
file the relative application before the Land Arbitration Board within three months
from the service of the judicial letter in reply by the interested ecclesiastical entity.
3. The amount established according to the procedure mentioned in paragraphs
1 and 2 of the present article shall be paid by the Government within one year of the
date on which the case is decided, together with the interests or damages established
by law.
Article 14
Cognizant of the fact that the provisions of the Devolution of Certain Church
Property Act, 1983; of Legal Notice 36 - Declaration of Certain Rights (Burthens for
Masses) Order, 1983, also as subsequently amended by Legal Notice 48 of 1983; of
Legal Notice 37- Compulsory Registration (Church Property) Order, 1983, also as
subsequently amended by Legal Notice 47 of 1983; and of Legal Notice 38 of 1983,
are no longer in force, having been declared null by the First Hall of the Civil Court,
the said Act No. X of 1983 and Legal Notices 36, 37, 38, 47 and 48 of 1983 are being
repealed.
Article 15
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, as from the date of coming into force
of this Agreement, the ownership, acquisition, possession, administration, alienation
of and succession to immovable property by ecclesiastical entities are regulated by
the ordinary laws of general applicability.
Article 16
1. A Joint Office is set up, by and at the expense of the Government, in
premises provided by the Government, which office has the function to: administer
the property transferred to the State by virtue of the present Agreement; do all that is
necessary for the registration mentioned in sub-paragraph ( a ) of article 3, for the
transfers and every other legal requirement in terms of and for the purposes of the
present Agreement; make such corrections or additions as may be required in the
lists of Annexes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 mentioned in article 1, Annex 8 in article 5,
Annex 9 in article 8, Annex 10 in article 9, and Annex 11 in article 10.
2. ( a ) The Joint Office shall also comprise employees of the Archbishop’s
             ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES) g CAP. 358.        11
Curia, Malta, who shall continue to work under the conditions now
obtaining at the said Curia and shall be remunerated by it. The
Government shall each month refund to the Archdiocese of Malta the
cost of such personnel.
( b ) In the case of property transferred to the State by the Diocese of Gozo
or by a Religious Institute, the Joint Office may avail itself of the
assistance of a representative of the Bishop’s Curia, Gozo, or,
respectively of the Religious Institute involved.
( c ) An official appointed by agreement between the two Parties shall be in
charge of the Joint Office.
3. The ecclesiastical entities shall place at the disposal of the Joint Office the
documents relating to the property transferred by them, for such time as is necessary
to effect the required procedures. These documents shall subsequently be returned to
the same ecclesiastical entities.
Article 17
1. A Control Committee is set up with the function of promoting and
monitoring the correct and timely application of the provisions of the present
Agreement with particular reference to what is laid down in article 7 and to the work
assigned to the Joint Office mentioned in article 16.
2. The Control Committee shall be composed of two members nominated by
the Holy See and two members nominated by the Government of Malta; it shall meet
at least every two months; it shall be chaired, alternately, by a representative of the
Holy See and by a representative of the Government of Malta, who shall chair the
first meeting.
Article 18
1. The present Agreement shall come into force when the Parties exchange an
official communication that the full implementation of all its provisions through the
appropriate legal instruments according to their respective legal systems has taken
place.
The exchange of such communication shall take place within one hundred
twenty days of the signing of the present Agreement.
2. If full implementation of the present Agreement and exchange of official
communication do not take place within the period mentioned in the preceding
paragraph, this same Agreement shall not have any effect and the Parties shall not be
bound by it.
Article 19
1. If in future there shall arise difficulties of interpretation or of application of
the provisions of the present Agreement, the Holy See and the Republic of Malta
shall entrust the search for an amicable solution to a Joint Commission that shall be
composed of the Apostolic Nuncio to Malta and of the President of the Maltese
Episcopal Conference or of their delegates for the Holy See and of the Minister of
Foreign Affairs and of the Minister responsible for Education or of their delegates
for the Republic of Malta.
  12      CAP. 358. h              ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES)
2. In case of default of performance of what is contemplated in the preceding
paragraph, or in the absence of an amicable solution of difficulties of interpretation
or of application of the provisions of the present Agreement in the manner
contemplated in the preceding paragraph, or in case of default of performance of the
obligations undertaken by virtue of the present Agreement, saving always the rights
of the Parties at international law, an ecclesiastical entity or the Government which
consider themselves as being due any obligation whatsoever deriving from this same
Agreement, shall have the right to take the appropriate legal measures against the
party not fulfilling its obligations before the Courts having jurisdiction and
competence, saving the rights of the holders of the bonds mentioned in article 6.
Done at Valletta, Malta, on the 28th day of November, 1991, in two originals in
the Italian and English languages, both texts being equally authentic.
PIER LUIGI CELATA EDWARD FENECH ADAMI
For the Holy See  For the Republic of Malta
             ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES) g CAP. 358.        13
La SANTA SEDE e la REPUBBLICA DI MALTA,
tenendo conto, da parte della Santa Sede, dei principi affermati dal Concilio
Ecumenico Vaticano II e sanciti dal Codice di Diritto Canonico circa l’uso dei beni
temporali degli enti ecclesiastici; delle particolari circostanze che caratterizzano le
scelte pastorali della Chiesa in Malta; delle necessita derivanti dall’impegno di
evangelizzazione e di carita, anche in riferimento ai criteri approvati nel 1973 per la
riforma amministrativa nella Provincia Ecclesiastica di Malta; delle esigenze del
bene comune della societa maltese, sopratutto a riguardo delle maggiori attese
sociali;
e tenendo altresì conto, da parte della Repubblica di Malta, dell’utilita di favorire
una destinazione sociale dei beni posseduti dagli enti ecclesiastici;
hanno deliberato di stipulare il presente Accordo sul trasferimento allo Stato dei
beni immobili ecclesiastici non utili per scopi pastorali e sulla definizione di alcune
questioni attinenti i rapporti patrimoniali tra la Chiesa e lo Stato.
A tale fine, la Santa Sede, rappresentata da Msgr. Pier Luigi Celata, Arcivescovo
titolare di Doclea e Nunzio Apostolico a Malta, e la Repubblica di Malta,
rappresentata dal Dott. Edward Fenech Adami, Primo Ministro, hanno stabilito di
comune intesa quanto segue:
Articolo 1
1. Sono trasferiti allo Stato tutti i beni immobili appartenenti agli enti
ecclesiastici a Malta e a Gozo ad eccezione di quelli qui di seguito descritti:
( a ) beni che, facendo fede una dichiarazione o a giudizio dell’Autorita
ecclesiastica:
(i) sono utilizzati al presente (Annesso N. 1) o sono previsti utili in
futuro (Annesso N. 2) per i fini istituzionali degli stessi enti
ecclesiastici possessori o di altri enti ecclesiastici;
(ii) sono attigui, o prospicienti, o comunque collegati con i beni di cui
agli Annessi NN. 1 e 2, o subiscono o godono di servitù su di essi
(Annesso N. 3);
(iii) sono oggetto di una promessa di compro-vendita, di concessione
in enfiteusi o di alienazione a qualsiasi altro titolo, stipulata in
data anteriore a quella del presente Accordo e ancora vincolante, e
presentata alla Santa Sede per la debita approvazione (Annesso N.
4);
( b ) l'utile dominio temporaneo e l'usufrutto dei beni di proprieta di terzi;
( c ) beni che risultano necessari per le permute ai sensi dell'articolo 10
(Annesso N. 5);
( d ) beni connessi con particolari circostanze (Annesso N. 6).
2. I beni ecclesiastici, da trasferirsi allo Stato ai termini del numero 1 del
presente articolo, che sono oggetto di una causa legale in cui è parte un ente
ecclesiastico, non saranno trasferiti allo Stato prima della conclusione della stessa
causa mediante sentenza definitiva o compromesso tra le parti.
Articolo 2
1. Il Governo utilizzera i beni ad esso trasferiti in virtù del presente Accordo
per favorire la salvaguardia dell’ambiente e lo sviluppo dell’agricoltura, e per
  14      CAP. 358. h              ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES)
soddisfare i bisogni sociali più avvertiti nel Paese, quali l’edilizia popolare e i
servizi di pubblica utilita, come pure per scopi umanitari, educativi, culturali. Fra
tali scopi tuttavia, nell’interpretazione di questo articolo, non sono da considerare i
fini e le attivita dei partiti politici o degli enti collegati a questi ultimi direttamente o
indirettamente.
2. Gli stessi beni non potranno essere ceduti, direttamente o indirettamente, a
persone o enti che hanno natura, fini o attivita non conformi con l’insegnamento
morale della Chiesa.
3. Il trasferimento degli stessi beni da parte dello Stato, per i fini indicati al
numero 1 del presente articolo, avverra mediante offerte dopo un avviso pubblicato
su "Malta Government Gazette" o, nei casi previsti dalla legge, secondo graduatorie
basate su punteggi o mediante sorteggio e, salvo quanto stabilito nel presente
articolo, dovra essere altresì effettuato secondo le prescrizioni del "Disposal of
Government Land Act, 1976" o, in caso di abrogazione totale o parziale di questa
legge, in conformita con i principi che stanno alla base di essa.
Articolo 3
Tutti i beni attualmente posseduti da enti ecclesiastici, sia da questi ritenuti sia
trasferiti allo Stato in virtù del presente Accordo, a far tempo dall’entrata in vigore
dello stesso Accordo:
( a ) sono considerati a tutti gli effetti, salvo eventuali diritti di terzi, come
previamente registrati "with absolute title" ai sensi del "Land
Registration Act, 1981". Per "terzi" si intendono persone che non sono
nè il governo o qualsiasi altro ente pubblico nè la Chiesa o qualsiasi
ente ecclesiastico. Ogni parte riconosce, a tutti i fini, il titolo dell’altra
parte alla proprieta che essa ritiene o acquista al termini del presente
Accordo e, con ciò, ogni parte rinuncia a ogni diritto o azione contro
l’altra parte in merito al titolo di detta proprieta incluso, senza
pregiudizio per il carattere generale della rinuncia sopra affermata, ogni
diritto di azione in base al "Land Registration Act, 1981";
( b ) nei confronti del Governo o di altri enti pubblici sono sanati quanto al
titolo della loro proprieta e possesso, ove ne sia il caso, da ogni carenza
o difetto, in modo che siano considerati come spettanti agli stessi enti
ecclesiastici, nonostante ogni altra disposizione di legge;
( c ) sono liberati, nonostante ogni altra disposizione di legge, da ogni
vincolo e condizione, o comunque da qualsiasi restrizione relativa al
loro uso e libera disponibilita, derivanti da ogni altra disposizione di
legge o da qualsiasi contratto fra un ente ecclesiastico, da una parte, e il
Governo o altro ente pubblico, dall’altra.
Articolo 4
1. I crediti arretrati a favore di enti ecclesiastici e relativi a beni da questi
trasferiti allo Stato in virtù del presente Accordo, dovranno essere corrisposti agli
stessi enti ecclesiastici creditori.
2. Nonostante l’avvenuto trasferimento dei beni di cui al numero precedente.,
gli enti ecclesiastici creditori manterranno integri nei confronti dei debitori, con
priorita su eventuali diritti dello Stato, tutti i diritti di azione, di esecuzione e di
rivalsa derivanti dal mancato pagamento.
             ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES) g CAP. 358.        15
Articolo 5
I beni ecclesiastici trasferiti allo Stato in virtù del presente Accordo sono
classificati e valutati sulla base delle categorie, dei prezzi e degli indici di
capitalizzazione specificati nell’Annesso N. 7. Gli stessi beni sono elencati, secondo
tali criteri, nell’Annesso N. 8.
Articolo 6
1. ( a ) A titolo di compenso per i beni ad esso trasferiti, il Governo emette un
"Local Registered Stock" e trasferisce alla Chiesa obbligazioni del
valore nominale di lire maltesi cento e multipli di cento, esenti da tassa
di bollo, della durata di dieci anni, al tasso annuo di interesse del sette
per cento pagabile ogni sei mesi, negoziabili, intestate, secondo le
norme canoniche vigenti, agli enti ecclesiastici cedenti i beni e, nella
misura determinata dall’Autorita ecclesiastica, alla Fondazione per le
Scuole della Chiesa.
( b ) Il tasso annuo di interesse di tali obbligazioni sara rivisto alla scadenza
di ogni biennio, a partire dalla data di emissione delle stesse
obbligazioni, in modo tale da mantenerlo di un punto percentuale più
basso del tasso normale di interesse massimo sui prestiti ("normal
maximum lending rate of interest") consentito dalla legge, fermo
restando che non potra diminuire al di sotto del sette per cento.
( c ) Alla scadenza, le stesse obbligazioni saranno rimborsate dal Governo
con un premio del dieci per cento rispetto al loro valore nominale.
( d ) Le stesse obbligazioni potranno essere liberamente vendute al pubblico,
previa autorizzazione della Conferenza Episcopale Maltese, per un
ammontare complessivo nominale non eccedente cinque milioni di lire
maltesi all’anno. Al di sopra di questa cifra, esse potranno essere
negoziate solo con l’autorizzazione del Ministero delle Finanze. Il
trasferimento di obbligazioni tra enti ecclesiastici, tuttavia,  non
richiede  tale  autorizzazione,  non  rientra  nel  computo
dell’ammontare complessivo trasferibile annualmente ed è esente da
tassa di bollo. 
2. ( a ) Alla data dell’entrata in vigore del presente Accordo, il Governo
consegnera alla Conferenza Episcopale Maltese, che a sua volta le
trasmettera agli aventi diritto, obbligazioni per un valore nominale
complessivo pari al novantacinque per cento del valore totale dei beni
trasferiti allo Stato, determinato secondo gli Annessi NN. 7 e 8 di cui
all'articolo 5.
( b ) Al termine degli adempimenti previsti per il trasferimento di tutti i beni
allo Stato, l’eventuale differenza risultante tra il valore nominale
complessivo delle obbligazioni cedute alla Chiesa e il valore della
proprieta effettivamente trasferita allo Stato, a seconda che questo
valore ecceda il primo o viceversa, sara regolata dal Governo mediante
la cessione di obbligazioni aventi caratteristiche uguali a quelle di cui al
numero 1 del presente articolo con scadenza alla stessa data di esse ed il
pagamento degli interessi maturati dalla data dell’entrata in vigore del
presente Accordo, o, rispettivamente, sara restituita al Governo dalla
Conferenza Episcopale Maltese insieme con gli interessi ricevuti dalla
stessa data.
  16      CAP. 358. h              ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES)
Articolo 7
1. Se dalla eventuale alienazione di beni ad esso trasferiti in virtù del presente
Accordo il Governo avra un ricavato superiore di oltre il trenta per cento - tenuto
conto dell’inflazione calcolata secondo l’indice pubblicato ai termini dell'Ordinanza
XIXA, 1959 e dei successivi emendamenti - a quanto versato alla Chiesa per gli
stessi beni, il Governo cedera alla Fondazione per le Scuole della Chiesa
obbligazioni di caratteristiche uguali a quelle di cui all’articolo 6 per un importo
nominale pari alla differenza fra tale ricavato e la cifra risultante dalla somma del
valore gia versato alla Chiesa, aumentato dell’importo dell’inflazione eventualmente
intervenuta, e del trenta per cento del valore così calcolato.
2. Il disposto del numero 1 del presente articolo sara applicato per la durata di
trenta anni a far tempo dall’entrata in vigore del presente Accordo.
3. ( a ) Il Governo (Land Department), entro il trentuno marzo di ogni anno,
fornira alla Conferenza Episcopale Maltese, l’elenco delle alienazioni,
effettuate nell’anno precedente a favore di terzi, dei beni acquisiti dallo
Stato in virtù del presente Accordo.
( b ) Entro il trenta giugno di ogni anno il Governo versera alla Fondazione
per le Scuole della Chiesa quanto ad essa dovuto, per le alienazioni
effettuate nell’anno precedente, in applicazione del disposto del numero
1 del presente articolo.
Articolo 8
Il Governo, nonostante ogni altra disposizione di legge, restituisce alla Chiesa i
beni ad essa espropriati e non utilizzati che sono necessari per fini pastorali. Tali
beni sono elencati nell’Annesso N. 9.
Articolo 9
1. Lo Stato trasferisce agli enti ecclesiastici il diretto dominio che possiede dei
beni dei quali essi hanno l’utile dominio perpetuo o temporaneo e che sono utilizzati
per fini pastorali, in modo che i medesimi enti acquisiscono l’assoluta proprieta di
tali beni. Questi stessi beni sono elencati nell’Annesso N. 10.
2. L’importo dovuto per il riscatto ed il relativo acquisto di cui al numero
precedente è determinato secondo il tasso stabilito dalla legge oppure, ove esso non
sia legalmente determinato, secondo i criteri di valutazione specificati nell’Annesso
N. 7 di cui all’articolo 5.
3. Il riscatto e il relativo acquisto dei beni di cui al numero 1 del presente
articolo hanno l’effetto di liberare gli stessi beni, per il futuro, da ogni vincolo e
condizione, o comunque da qualsiasi restrizione relativa al loro uso e libera
disponibilita derivanti da qualsiasi disposizione di legge o contratto fra un ente
ecclesiastico, da una parte, ed il Governo o altro ente pubblico, dall’altra.
Articolo 10
1. Il Governo, nonostante ogni altra disposizione di legge relativa alla
concessione della proprieta immobiliare da parte dello Stato, trasferisce alla Chiesa
gli immobili di sua proprieta da essa richiesti per fini pastorali e che sono elencati
nell’Annesso N. 11.
2. Il Governo accetta di permutare gli immobili di cui al numero precedente
             ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES) g CAP. 358.        17
con altri immobili appartenenti ad enti ecclesiastici e di pari valore, da determinare
di comune intesa.
3. Qualora non si raggiunga un’intesa per la permuta di cui al numero
precedente, il valore degli immobili da cui al numero 1 di questo articolo sara
determinato secondo i criteri di valutazione specificati nell’Annesso N. 7 di cui
all’articolo 5.
Articolo 11
1. Nel predisporre il piano di una zona destinata all’edilizia abitativa, il
Governo, previa intesa con il Vescovo diocesano interessato, determinera un’area
adeguata e idonea al servizio pastorale della Chiesa (come, ad esempio, chiesa, casa
canonica o religiosa, locali e spazi per attivita religiosa, catechetica, caritativa,
socio-culturale). 
2. L’acquisizione in proprieta alla Chiesa dell’area di cui al numero precedente
sara effettuata e finanziariamente regolata come segue:
( a ) Se l’area sara compresa tra i beni trasferiti allo Stato col presente
Accordo, il Governo, nonostante ogni altra disposizione di legge
relativa alla concessione della proprieta immobiliare da parte dello
Stato, la trasferira alla Chiesa dietro un compenso uguale a quello da
esso dato a suo tempo all’ente ecclesiastico che la possedeva.
( b ) Se l’area fara parte delle proprieta dello Stato e sara di diversa
provenienza, il Governo, nonostante ogni altra disposizione di legge
relativa alla concessione della proprieta immobiliare da parte dello
Stato, la trasferira alla Chiesa ad un prezzo pari a quello stabilito dalla
legge per il compenso dei terreni espropriati a scopo di   pubblica utilita.
( c ) Se l’area apparterra a terzi, il Governo la espropriera, esigendo poi dalla
Chiesa un compenso pari a quello che esso dovra versare al proprietario
secondo la misura fissata dalla legge per l’acquisto di proprieta a scopo
di pubblica utilita.
Articolo 12
Tutti i trasferimenti contemplati dal presente Accordo   sono esenti da tassa di
bollo.
Articolo 13
1. I casi pendenti relativi alla espropriazione di beni ecclesiastici effettuati dal
Governo nei o al di fuori dei termini del "Land Acquisition (Public Purposes)
Ordinance", saranno risolti in modo definitivo attraverso la decisione arbitrale di un
giudice o di un ex-giudice designato di comune intesa dal Governo e dalla
Conferenza Episcopale Maltese, il quale procedera alla determinazione del valore
dei beni in base al diritto maltese, valendosi della assistenza di un esperto designato
dall’Autorita ecclesiastica e di uno designato dal Governo.
2. In caso di mancanza, ai sensi del numero precedente, di intesa sulla
designazione dell’arbitro o di designazione di un esperto entro due mesi dalla
richiesta fatta dall’altra parte, i casi pendenti saranno risolti secondo la normale
procedura prevista dalla legge per le espropriazioni, restando inteso che il
"Commissioner of Land" dovra spedire le "notices to treat" entro dodici mesi
dall’entrata in vigore del presente Accordo e, ove necessario, dovra presentare il
  18      CAP. 358. h              ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES)
ricorso relativo presso il "Land Arbitration Board" entro tre mesi dalla data della
notifica della lettera ufficiale di risposta da parte dell’ente ecclesiastico interessato.
3. Il valore stabilito secondo le procedure di cui ai numeri 1 e 2 del presente
articolo sara corrisposto dal Governo entro un anno dalla data della definizione del
caso, salvi gli interessi o danni dovuti per legge.
Articolo 14
Preso atto che le disposizioni del "Devolution of Certain Church Property Act,
1983"; della "Legal Notice" 36 - "Declaration of Certain Rights (Burthens for
Masses) Order, 1983", anche come successivamente emendata dalla "LegaI Notice"
48 del 1983; della "LegaI Notice" 37 - "Compulsory Registration (Church Property)
Order, 1983", anche come successivamente emendata dalla "LegaI Notice" 47 del
1983; e della "LegaI Notice" 38 del 1983, non sono più in vigore essendo state
dichiarate nulle dalla "First Hall of the Civil Court", vengono abrogati lo stesso Atto
N. X del 1983 e le stesse "Legal Notices" 36, 37, 38, 47 e 48 del 1983.
Articolo 15
Nonostante ogni altra disposizione di legge, dalla data dell’entrata in vigore del
presente Accordo la proprieta, l’acquisizione, il possesso, l’amministrazione,
l'alienazione dei beni immobili da parte di enti ecclesiastici, come pure la
successione ad essi a favore degli stessi enti, sono regolati dalle leggi ordinarie di
applicazione generale.
Articolo 16
1. A cura ed a carico del Governo è costituito, in una sede messa a disposizione
dallo stesso Governo, un "Joint Office" che ha il compito di: amministrare la
proprieta trasferita allo Stato in virtù del presente Accordo; svolgere quanto
necessario per la registrazione di cui all’articolo 3 lettera ( a )   dell'articolo 3, per i
trasferimenti ed ogni altro adempimento ai sensi ed agli effetti del presente Accordo;
apportare, se necessario, correzioni o aggiunte agli elenchi degli Annessi NN. 1, 2,
3, 4, 5 e 6 dei quali all’articolo 1, N. 8 di cui all’articolo 5, N. 9 di cui all’articolo 8,
N. 10 di cui all’articolo 9 e N. 11 di cui all’articolo 10.
2. ( a ) Il "Joint Office" sara composta anche da impiegati della Curia
Arcivescovile di Malta, i quali continueranno a lavorare alle condizioni
vigenti nella stessa Curia e saranno da questa retribuiti. Il Governo
rifondera mensilmente all’Arcidiocesi di Malta il costo di tale personale.
( b ) Quando si tratti di beni trasferiti allo Stato dalla Diocesi di Gozo o da
un Istituto Religioso, il "Joint Office" potra valersi della collaborazione
di un rappresentante della Curia Vescovile di Gozo o, rispettivamente,
dell’Istituto Religioso interessato.
( c ) Il "Joint Office" sara diretto da un responsabile nominato d’intesa fra le
due Parti.
3. Gli enti ecclesiastici metteranno a disposizione del "Joint Office" i
documenti relativi ai beni da essi trasferiti, per tutto il tempo necessario ai previsti
adempimenti. Tali documenti saranno poi restituiti agli stessi enti ecclesiastici.
             ECCLESIASTICALENTITIES (PROPERTIES) g CAP. 358.        19
Articolo 17
1. È costituito un Comitato di Controllo con il compito di promuovere e
vigilare sulla corretta e tempestiva applicazione delle disposizioni del presente
Accordo con particolare riguardo a quanto stabilito all’articolo 7 ed il lavoro
assegnato al "Joint Office" di cui all’articolo 16.
2. Il Comitato di Controllo sara composto da due membri designati dalla Santa
Sede e da due membri designati dal Governo di Malta; dovra radunarsi almeno ogni
due mesi; sara presieduto, alternativamente, da un rappresentante della Santa Sede e
da un rappresentante del Governo di Malta, il quale presiedera la prima seduta.
Articolo 18
1. Il presente Accordo entrera in vigore al momento in cui le Parti si
scambieranno ufficiale comunicazione dell’avvenuta piena applicazione di tutte le
disposizioni di esso mediante gli strumenti giuridici propri dei rispettivi
ordinamenti.
Lo scambio di tale comunicazione dovra avvenire entro centoventi giorni dalla
firma del presente Accordo.
2. Trascorso inutilmente il termine di tempo di cui al numero precedente senza
che sia stata data piena applicazione al presente Accordo, questo stesso Accordo non
avra alcun effetto e le Parti non saranno obbligate da esso.
Articolo 19
1. Se in avvenire sorgessero difficolta di interpretazione o di applicazione delle
disposizioni del presente Accordo, la Santa Sede e la Repubblica di Malta
affideranno la ricerca di un’amichevole soluzione ad una Commissione paritetica,
che sara composta, per parte della Santa Sede, dal Nunzio Apostolico a Malta e dal
Presidente della Conferenza Episcopale Maltese o da loro delegati e, per parte della
Repubblica di Malta, dal Ministro degli Affari Esteri e dal Ministro responsabile per
l’Educazione o da loro delegati.
2. In caso di mancato adempimento di quanto previsto al numero precedente, o
di mancata soluzione amichevole di eventuali difficolta di interpretazione o di
applicazione delle disposizioni del presente Accordo mediante quanto previsto al
numero precedente, o di mancato adempimento degli obblighi assunti in virtù del
presente Accordo, salvi sempre i diritti spettanti alle Parti secondo il diritto
internazionale, un ente ecclesiastico o il Governo che si ritengono creditori di
qualsivoglia obbligazione derivante da questo stesso Accordo, avranno il diritto di
adire, contro la parte inadempiente, gli organi giudiziari che abbiano giurisdizione e
competenza, salvi i diritti dei titolari delle "obbligazioni" di cui all’articolo 6.
Fatto alla Valletta, Malta il 28 di novembre, 1991, in doppio originale, in lingua
italiana e inglese, ambedue i testi facendo ugualmente fede.
PIER LUIGI CELATA  EDWARD FENECH ADAMI
Per la Santa Sede  Per la Repubblica di Malta
