A grey and white photograph” “

In a number of former-Communist countries, ecclesiastical property confiscated under the old regimes continues to be returned, though the process is beset by numerous difficulties. In other States, such as Byelorussia and Moldavia, legislation regarding religious activity is becoming harsher, to such a degree that it represents a form of administrative persecution. The Catholic Church’s position in Russia is also delicate, her mission hampered by close State control and, at times, by the refusal of the authorities to give entrance permits to priests. The “2003 Report on religious liberty in the world”, drawn up by the Italian section of the association “Help to the Suffering Church” (Acs) and now in its fifth edition, presents a picture of a Europe marked by lights and shadows. A Europe where, in the west, religious freedom is largely respected while, in various countries of the east, the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations are subject to restrictions and limitations. Below is a brief summary of the more significant episodes of intolerance and religious discrimination to take place in Europe in 2002, but also of some tentative steps forward. For the Ukraine, see the article on pag. 9. Albania. On 23 March, the government and the Holy See reached an agreement guaranteeing the right to public profession of the Catholic faith. The agreement recognises the juridical status of the Church and its freedom to possess means of social communication. In Albania, where Christianity and Islam are on the upswing, there is still no law regulating the practise of religious faith. Bosnia-Herzegovina. The most obvious signs of religious revival following the civil war of the 1990s come from the Muslim community. A huge propaganda campaign – financed by Iran, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia – is emanating from Muslim places of worship and education, at times not even sparing harsh attacks against Christianity. As for post-war reconstruction, all religious communities complain of the obstructions and obstacles of government bureaucracy. Bulgaria. In December last year, the national assembly approved a law on religions consolidating the dominant position of the Orthodox Church, which represents some 80% of the population. This gave rise to protests from the religious minorities present in the country: Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Jews and Armenians. Byelorussia. President Alyaksander Lukashenko’s regime continues to try religious liberty to the limit. On 12 November last year, a new law on this subject came onto the statute books, by many defined as “the most repressive law of Europe”. Recognising Russian Orthodoxy as the official religion of the country, the State undertakes to protect it, adopting restrictive measures that aim to hinder the activity of other religious confessions. These measures include: the obligation to register and a ban that prevents Churches without their own places of worship from using other locations for their services. Croatia. The policy of the democratic government continues to guarantee religious freedom and, thanks to a more tranquil ethnic situation, relations between the various religions have also improved. The main problems are associated with the return of ethnic Serb Orthodox Croatians. Czech Republic. At the beginning of 2002, a new law on religious liberty came into force, despite the opposition of the country’s various religious communities and the veto of the then president of the republic. “A threat to democracy and the freedom of the Church as guaranteed by the Constitution” commented Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, archbishop of Prague, talking of the new law. Strong disagreement still exists between Church and State concerning the latter’s control over works of charity and the return of ecclesiastical property. Greece. There were no significant cases of discrimination against religious minorities in 2002. In September last year, John Paul II made an appeal to the State authorities to ensure that the Catholic Church achieves a “juridical status”, that the faithful see “their rights in various social settings” recognised, and that dioceses be given “the means necessary for their mission”. Kosovo. Although there is a general improvement in relations between the various religious communities, episodes of intolerance towards Orthodox Serbs still occur, with attacks on their places of worship and profanation of cemeteries. Latvia. In October last year, Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano and the prime minister, Andris Bçrzin, ratified an agreement which brought into force the Concordat signed in Riga in the year 2000. The Concordat recognises the juridical status of the Catholic Church in the country and envisages the possibility of collaboration between Church and State in areas of mutual interest. These include religious assistance to Catholics in the armed forces and the country’s gaols. Moldavia. Discussions are taking place on a government bill regarding religions which divides religious communities into three levels, of which only the higher two – which must have existed for at least 25 years – can request juridical status. Numerous criticisms have been expressed by exponents of minority groups (Baptists, Pentecostalists), who feel the measure “is directed against the new religious groups that have come into being following the country’s independence, and is aimed at increasing State control over all religious activities”. Montenegro. In 2002, tension between the Orthodox Churches of Serbia and Montenegro increased, the latter having unilaterally declared her autonomy. The Catholic Church enjoys a good degree of freedom. Romania. The problem of the non-restitution of churches is also affecting the country’s Catholics. Prior to 1948, the Catholic Church owned 2,588 buildings of which only 100 or so have been returned. Msgr. Virgil Bercea, bishop of Oradea Mare, affirms that he “celebrates Mass in the hall of a theatre”. Replying to a specific request of John Paul II – who recalled the urgent need to implement the agreements reached on this matter between Catholic Church, Orthodox Church and the Holy See – President Ion Iliescu said that the State cannot interfere in the question. Russia. The right to religious freedom is still threatened. During the year 2002, the position of Catholics in the country got notably worse, and the elevation of the four apostolic administrations in Russia to the rank of dioceses provoked a grave deterioration in relations between the Catholic Church, accused of proselytism, and the Orthodox Church. The opposition of the Moscow Patriarchate is effectively supported by the State authorities with such measures as the refusal of entrance permits to certain Catholic bishops and priests in the name of “national security”. While the Council of Europe has repeatedly reminded the Russian government of the need to introduce a new law on freedom of belief, a document on the prevention of religious extremism drawn up over the last few months by Russian civil servants lists the Catholic Church as the most dangerous organisation, followed by the Protestant Church. Serbia. Debate is taking place on a new federal law on religious liberty which should, among other measures, institutionalise the teaching of religion in State schools, at present still in the experimental stage. The same law should, moreover, endorse the process of recovering ecclesiastical property confiscated by the Communist State after the Second World War and exempt the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church and Islam from the need to register. Slovenia. Following agreement on the juridical status of the Church in the country, as stipulated between the State and the Holy See in 2001, government policy continues to guarantee a general measure of religious freedom, and relations between the various religions appear to be good. In May 2002, laws were introduced nominating military chaplains from all the confessions, thus ensuring the right of military personnel to religious practise. Turkey. A country with an immense Muslim majority (97.2% of the population) but with a secular constitution, in which Christians (0.6%) suffer strong discrimination, including the confiscation of ecclesiastical property and a ban on reopening old seminaries and the Christian university, which have been closed for 30 years. Over recent months, the transmissions of a private Protestant radio station have been suspended as the State authorities considered certain conversions to Christianity “suspect”. However, some progress has been made in inter-religious dialogue with an agreement signed in April of this year between the Turkish department for religious affairs and the corresponding dicastery in the Vatican. The aim of the accord is “to promote good understanding between Islam and Christianity, to remove prejudices” and “to uphold freedom of religion and belief” explained one of the signatories, Msgr. Michael Fitzgerald, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.