Sincerity obliges us” “

I speak as the bishop of a country that has been a member of the EU for only a year and a half. Sincerity obliges us to speak not only of agreeable things but also of true things, which are not always equally agreeable. Perhaps the majority of the inhabitants of Hungary awaited with enthusiasm for the time when the country would enter the Union. I cannot declare with any certainty that it was the majority, because even before Hungary’s accession there were many so-called “Euro-sceptics”. Participation in the referendum on EU entry was thus very low. Abstention may also have derived from the fact that our country had only recently been liberated from the iron embrace of another Union (the Soviet one), one which we had not voluntarily chosen. Anyone who experienced the Communist dictatorship, and now experiences the sensation of freedom, will understand whence arose this feeling in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and what nourished it. The Hungarian Bishops’ Conference urged the faithful to participate in the referendum and to vote yes. For this, indeed, the Conference was subjected to many attacks from those who opposed Hungary’s entry. These critics then felt themselves confirmed in their views, and did not fail to reproach the bishops, when the European Constitution was shown to be devoid of any reference to Christianity as the historic root of Europe. It’s clear to everyone that the old Europe was dead on the ruins of the Second World War. But the new Europe still falls somewhat below our expectations. Of the dream of the founding fathers of the European Community, that of economic integration has been realised, but it too not without some defects. On the other hand, the spiritual communion/community which could create common values for the peoples of Europe has failed to materialise. Yet the Catholic Church has already testified, and still testifies today, that the Gospel values are able to integrate the nations. According to the Laeken Declaration, Europe ought to become a power that intends to curb globalization on the basis of ethical principles. But what ethical principles? Globalization is supported by forces that are expressly neutral as far as values are concerned. And a community devoid of values can neither be founded nor maintained. The number of the disenchanted in Hungary due to EU membership has increased in recent times, because the government had failed properly to inform the country on the criteria and possible consequences of entry. But an even greater problem is that the leaders of our country themselves had not prepared themselves properly for entry, as a result of which they failed to help the Hungarian economy to benefit from the possible advantages deriving from accession. This disenchantment has also been increased due to the EU’s imposition on the 10 candidate countries of membership conditions never previously applied: for example, the condition of fixing agricultural subsidies at a very low level, with all the problems that flow from that, or that of the strict limitation on hiring workers. What’s worse, the current economic policy of the Hungarian government – a misguided one – has led to a high level of impoverishment, reinforcing disenchantment in the Union. Most people perceive the deterioration of their own living standards as a negative consequence of EU membership. For these people, the question of EU enlargement is of no interest, even if the majority understand that it would be a good thing if neighbouring countries were members of the Union. This is especially important, in Hungary’s case, due to the millions of people of Hungarian nationality who live in the surrounding countries. But they have no illusions on this score, because they know that the Union has so far been incapable of effectively handling the question of national minorities. It is all too certain that the problem will be impossible to ignore in future. It is already clear that the opening of the frontiers within the Union will not solve the complex problem represented by national minorities. Those who are on the side of the Union see an historic occasion in the intention of ever more European States to join the Union. The majority welcome the accession of countries of Christian culture as a desirable and auspicious event, but they are fearful of the accession of countries of Islamic countries. They are worried by the possible aggravation of the tensions that have been violently unleashed in some countries of Western Europe. I would also like, however, to point out what’s good about the EU. From the point of view of Hungarian culture, the widest possible realization of the European Union would mean the fulfilment of the intentions of St. Stephen of Hungary. We see in the voluntary union of free countries an occasion, for various peoples and national minorities, to be strengthened in their own cultural heritage. This is the only way, in present-day economic conditions, to be able to grow and live peacefully together. Therefore the principle of solidarity must be more strongly affirmed, and any ambition of hegemony avoided. Seen from the perspective of Hungary, Christians often have the impression that a very strong anti-Christian minority prevails in the legislation and in the leadership of the European Union. Of course, our weak witness may also have contributed to this. How desirable it would be for Europe if the wise and ever valid precept of St. Augustine were to become a reality: “Unity in necessary things, freedom in doubts, and love in everything”.