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“The model of society in which religion and culture coincided is in crisis today. Many factors have determined this crisis: the development of democracy, awareness of individual liberties… In a society thus determined, the expression of a person’s own faith can only happen through a conscious choice. Yet the diversity that places believers and non-believers side by side, perhaps in the same family, is but the expression of the freedom of each. And this is undoubtedly a sign of hope”. The view of the patriarch of Lisbon, Cardinal José da Cruz Policarpo How is faith being experienced in the contemporary world, in particular by the young? “A major change in the way people experience faith is taking place. In the past it was normal to be Christian, because the faith was transmitted through the socio-cultural environment. Today each individual’s personal choice is recognized: this is a great sign of hope, because the sociological faith has not resisted, while the groups that have made a conscious choice have increased. This has made the Church a more vital reality. One example is that of vocations; they need to be stimulated and appealed for today”. The big cities in Europe and elsewhere have become frontier realities. Is there a particular role that the Christian communities can play? “The contemporary city is not the same as it was in the eighteenth century or in the past. Today urbanization is causing an anthropological alteration. The fundamental points of reference have changed. The Church has lost her centrality. Proclaiming the faith in the big cities does not happen as it did in the past. Methods of new evangelization, experiences that are valid in themselves, are being used. People have spontaneous and conscious defences. The tension of each Christian with his neighbour needs above all to be cultivated; the idea of the neighbour itself needs to be recovered. The meeting with others can occur outside the visible structures of evangelization. The idea that you don’t need to go to the sacristy to speak of religion needs to be cultivated”. What are the challenges and difficulties that Europe will have to face? Does the European project have a future? “I am a convinced European! I believe in the ideal of a unity that respects differences between peoples. I could describe myself as a realistic optimist. Europe cannot afford to make too many mistakes. The European project could be placed in jeopardy were an ideological, political and purely value-based view to be imposed, with the pretext of replacing religion. We ought not to forget that Europe is not secular: it is multi-religious. Europe needs to be woken up. An important role in this sense must be played by politics, even at the risk of embracing politics as a profession and not as a service”. The threats of Islamic fundamentalism to the West are becoming ever more explicit. Recent facts have demonstrated this. Do you believe that a dialogue between the Catholic Church and Islam is possible? “A regards relations with Islam, I fear an apocalypse because the West is not preparing itself to tackle the crisis. Islam itself is very divided, with the result that it is difficult to know with what Islam we ought to enter into contact and establish a dialogue. There is the moderate and non-violent Islam. But there’s also the violent fringe groups of Islam with which it is difficult to dialogue. Despite that, and the doubts among Islamic intellectuals, the search for doors for dialogue must continue. Dialogue is the only possible way: there is no other alternative. The Pope insists on this point a great deal. We must defend dialogue at all costs. Christians must never stop seeking dialogue with those who live close to us, with the Islamic community that lives in our cities, alongside us. We must get to know it and respect it”.
