The ‘bridge’ to the East” “

The Hellenic peninsula, due to its geographical position and culture, has always been a crossroads between North and South and between West and East. Here was born, and from here spread, the philosophic speculation that supported the birth of democracy. These questions and concepts are more than ever relevant as Europe prepares for two imminent events: the enlargement of the European Union by 10 new countries on 1st May, and the European elections on 10-13 June: In this regard we host a reflection by the spokesman of the Episcopal Conference of Greece, Nicolas Gasparakis. The enlargement of the European Union will formally take place on 1st May 2004. Ten new member states with different peoples, cultures and religions will become members of the European Union, which will extend its frontiers southwards and especially eastwards. Greece has always represented an historic point of encounter between East and West, between North and South, and a place of assimilation of philosophic currents, ideas and projects that found their concrete expression in terms of political ideas and democracy. Classical Greek culture still supports European culture today, indeed forms an essential element of it. The first Christian communities were developed in the enlarged Hellenic geopolitical area. Right down to the present day they have kept alive the Christian tradition through various confessions. Other religions such as Judaism and Islam also exist. Greek culture and Christianity, and also the contact between the Greeks and other people scattered all over the world, have created in the population an awareness of toleration, even if not always at the desired level. The Catholic Church in Greece represents a minority. Linked to the Church of Rome, to the other European Churches and to all the Bishops of the world, it too is participating today in this important phase in the life of the Union in proclaiming unity, ecumenism and the living witness that it has given in the course of the centuries to build a world of justice and peace. In the social sphere too the Catholic Church is always present. She supports, and always shall support, a sincere and healthy dialogue with the State in the defence of truth, the rule of law, human dignity, freedom and education. In the new enlarged framework of the EU, the role and the responsibility of Christians in the promotion of peace and the unity of peoples and cultures are emerging in all their importance. The needs of the political, social and philosophic sphere in the widest sense and the other concerns of the EU represent a new challenge for Christians of all confessions to overcome the points that divide them and unite their efforts to the common good. Joint witness and Christian initiative in the European continent, which among other things promote Christian roots and values, too often forgotten, represent the best guarantee and today, perhaps, the only hope for a Europe united in justice and solidarity, a Europe that lives for the truth and in the truth. A Europe of the people, in which each person of good will may express his/her own hopes: that’s the antidote to the destructive materialist lifestyle of society. Nicolas Gasparakis Spokesman of the Greek Episcopal Conference Fact File: the Church in Greece Out of a population of over 11 million inhabitants, Catholics represent only 0.5% (roughly 50,000 faithful). The Catholic community, explains the press office of the Greek Episcopal Conference, “forms a religious and not ethnic minority. In Greece the Catholic Church is considered by the State a ‘foreign confession’. The Orthodox Church is the official State Church. If foreign Catholics resident in Greece are included in the figures, the number of Catholics rises to roughly 200,000. Of these, 60,000 or slightly more, are Polish and 45,000 Philippinos. The majority of Catholics live in Athens, but there are also large communities in the islands of Syros (8,000) and Tinos (3,000). Almost all Catholics belong to the Roman rite. There are some 3,000 Catholics of Byzantine rite and a few hundred of Armenian rite. Catholics in Greece are under the pastoral care of 9 bishops assisted by 51 priests of the secular clergy and 40 of the religious clergy. There are two permanent deacons, 34 male religious, 130 female religious, and 109 catechists. The Greek Church runs 7 nursery schools, 11 primary schools, 10 lower secondary schools, 1 hospital, 5 retirement homes, 1 family clinic and 7 re-education centres.