Facts
On August 24, 2012, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Chur, Martin Grichting, requested that the association "adebar" (Counseling Center for Family Planning, Sexuality, Pregnancy and Partnership in Graubünden) should no longer be financially supported by the Catholic National Church of Graubünden. However, the Administrative Commission of the National Church requested that the contribution of 15,000 Swiss francs to "adebar" be granted on the condition that the money may not be used for counseling on abortion methods or accompanying abortions. The Annual Assembly of the National Church adopted the proposal of the Administrative Commission.
The Roman Catholic Church, Diocese of Chur, as well as Martin Grichting, filed an appeal against this, which was rejected by the Appeals Commission of the National Church. Subsequently, they filed a complaint with the Administrative Court of Graubünden and the Federal Court.
The Federal Court did not enter into the complaint against the decision of the Appeals Commission, as it was not a final instance. However, it rejected the complaint against the decision of the Administrative Court.
Considerations
The Federal Court concluded that the freedom of faith of the Roman Catholic National Church or the national church law is not violated by the conditional contribution of the Catholic National Church of Graubünden to "adebar".
Although a part of the activities of "adebar" is problematic from the point of view of the Roman Catholic Church, as it rejects abortion, the National Church has linked the contribution to…