Presbyterian Church in Italy
ClassificationEvangelical Protestant
OrientationCalvinism
TheologyConservative & confessional
GovernancePresbyterian
RegionItalia
Origin1996
Branched fromPresbyterian Church of Brazil
Congregations3
Official websitept.chiesapresbiteriana.com

The Presbyterian Church in Italy (PCI) (Italian: Chiesa Presbiteriana in Italia) is a Presbyterian church in Italy,[1][2] formed from the missionary work of the Presbyterian Agency for Transcultural Missions (PATM), Presbyterian Church of Brazil (PCB).[3][4]

History

Presbyterianism established itself in Italy from the Church of Scotland, which founded congregations in the country in the 20th century. However, their congregations hold services in English, which makes their membership predominantly made up of Scottish immigrants in Italy.[3]

In 1996, by Rev. Nilton Freitas and Brazilian immigrants, in the city of Torino, an evangelical congregation was formed. However, the church began to hold services in the Italian language and to welcome Italians as members.[3]

In 2004, Rev. Humberto Arisa de Oliveira, pastor of the Presbyterian Agency for Transcultural Missions (PATM), Presbyterian Church of Brazil (PCB), moved to Torino, to assist the church started there. In 2008, the missionary moved to Legnano (Province of Milan), Lombardy, where the church was transferred.[3]

In 2014, the church began ordaining its own elders[5] and moved to a larger building in 2015.[6]

In January 2020, a second church was founded in Brescia. Soon, the Presbyterian Church in Italy was formed by two local churches.[3][7]

In March 2024, the denomination's third church was established in Asti.[8]

Doctrine

As it is founded on missions by the Presbyterian Church of Brazil, the PCI is a conservative denomination. It officially subscribes to the Westminster Confession of Faith, Westminster Larger Catechism and Westminster Shorter Catechism and does not ordain women.[3][9]

Inter-church Relations

PCI is related to other European Presbyterian denominations such as the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Spain, which was also founded by PATM-PCB missionaries.[10]

Other Reformed denominations operate in Italy. The Presbyterian Church in America and United Reformed Churches in North America maintain missionaries in the country in Milan, Lecce and Perugia who aspire to form a Reformed denomination together.[3][11] The PCI maintains fraternal bonds with these missionaries.[12]

The Presbyterian Church of Pinheiros, a local church federated to the PCB, is also involved in planting another Presbyterian church in Pistoia.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ "List of Christian denominations in Italy". Observatory of Religious Pluralism. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  2. ^ "Religious Demography of Italy". Ripley Believes. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "The Reformed Churches in Italy". Center for Studies on New Religions. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  4. ^ "Missionary Letter from Rev. Humberto de Oliveira". April 1, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "Missões Transculturais na Europa". April 1, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  6. ^ "Presbyterian Church of Legnano". Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  7. ^ "Presbyterian Church of Brescia". Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  8. ^ "Presbyterian Church of Asti". Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  9. ^ "Doctrine of the Presbyterian Church in Italy". Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  10. ^ "History of the Presbyterian Evangelical Church of Spain". Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  11. ^ "Faith Reformed in Italy". Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  12. ^ "Missionary Letter of Rev. Humberto de Oliveira". September 1, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  13. ^ Gori, Eduardo (3 October 2020). "Pistoia Presbyterian Church welcomes Brazilian athlete Emerson Fittipaldi". Pistoia Port. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  14. ^ "Pistoia Presbyterian Church". Retrieved June 23, 2021.
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