Balancing Acts: Religious-Based Welfare Providers in Switzerland as Resources and Actors

The increase in faith-based welfare provisions observed recently in quite a few European countries runs parallel to declines in membership and attendance experienced by churches. An instance of “return of religion”, the growth of faith-.based welfare raises questions about the changing roles of the state and organized religion. Recent scholarship suggests that faith-based welfare providers hold conflicting roles and responsibilities towards their clients / beneficiaries, religious communities and the state. Examples of conflicts include exclusion and discrimination of non-believers resulting from sticking to belief system or practice of the community and provision of services reinforcing cultural practices not in line with legal rules. Organizational goals (survival, growth) and market pressures further determine the agency of faith-based welfare providers. To get a better grasp of these dynamics, we analyze the faith-based welfare market in Switzerland occupied by actors representing Switzerland’s three biggest denominations: Catholic Church, Protestant Church and Islam. Approximately 300 faith-based welfare providers operate in Switzerland, ranging from related to the national churches foundations Caritas Schweiz and HEKS / EPER to smaller, issue-based units. Muslim communities, despite missing financial and structural benefits of legal recognition, are active actors in social and cultural provisions. Comparison across various types of actors, two established Christian denominations and one new but growing religion contributes to debates about the role of religion and religious actors in the secular state.