Common paths of work

“It was not a conference based on a doctrinal confrontation on theological divergences or convergences, rather, it was a workshop aimed at identifying those issues that can enjoy the active participation of all stakeholders in a common European project”, declared father Hans Vocking from CCEE (Council of the European Bishops’ Conferences) in his final remarks to the event promoted jointly with CEC (the Conference of European Churches). “We spent three days with twenty Muslims from different traditions living throughout European Countries. Thus, we jointly addressed the social and political question of citizenship and responsibility as men and women of faith in European societies”, said Father Vocking. “This led to establishing the Network of Muslim Interlocutors that will back the work of CCEE and of CEC’s Commission for Relations with Muslims in Europe” in a number of projects. Paths of common commitments. “For example – Vocking continued – one of the projects could be Muslim and Christian revision of schoolbooks aimed at the correct learning of Christian and Muslim faiths”. Another objective – continued the CCEE expert – “is to continue working together within the European Community establishing relations with the political realm represented by the Commission and the European Parliament. This is why this conference is the beginning of a common path of institutional relations to be continued and deepened identifying the questions that ought to be addressed together by the European political community”. Shared questions. “A lot of time passed trying to understand whether it was possible to engage in dialogue with one other. Today – declared Msgr. Jean-Luc Brunin, bishop of Ajaccio – a new step was taken. We no longer talk about dialogue. Rather, we are debating a series of mutually-shared crucial issues pertaining to man and society, that call us into question and that we ought to address together”. “In this conference – Msgr. Brunin explained – we discussed about citizenship and about how our status as Christian and Muslim faithful, can affect our European citizenship”. According to the bishop “there are a number of issues that Muslims and Christians can address together: “the dignity of man and woman, the respect of life from the beginning to its natural end, the reflections on bioethics, social justice, migration policies, education to diversity and plurality”. The true Islam. This proposition was reaffirmed by the Imam of Lisbona, sheikh David Munir. “The Muslims that really know Islam – he said – also know that we are tied to Christianity through a common root. This is why Christians are respected. Unfortunately, Muslims and Christians in the course of history committed a series of mistakes. However, thanks to these meetings, and by getting to know each other deeply, we learn not to repeat past mistakes”. As relates to the initiative in Brussels, the Imam said: “These conferences reassure us that we are not alone, that there are many people in different parts of Europe who believe in dialogue. This means that after this conference, each one returns to his own community to establish new bridges and renewed relations”. “We, added Msgr. Pero Sudar, auxiliary bishop of Sarajevo – have a century-long experience of the coexistence between the different religions and ethnic groups and we are conscious that this is possible. On the other hand, we have been witnesses to the fact that if dialogue is not elevated to the level of a preferential choice, it terminates with a disastrous outcome”. “Faith in dialogue”. “We trust in those Muslims who intend to create a European Islam, an Islam for Europe based on European reality” – said cardinal Jean Pierre Ricard, archbishop of Bordeaux and CCEE vice -president – We trust them”. Not only. Christians and Muslims have the responsibility of preventing “European public opinion that could be attracted by Islamophobia. While in some areas of the world Christians are denied the freedom of worship, are prohibited to celebrate their cult, and risk being the objects of discrimination, by paradox, these situations risk fomenting a sort of Islamphobia in Europe”. “This is another reason to address this challenge together – added Cardinal RIcard -, giving details on each situation and where possible take common stands”. His Eminence then delved into the phrase regarding the “delicate question of reciprocity” pronounced during the Conference. “Cooperation and dialogue with the Muslims in Europe does not depend on the changes that will occur in other countries in the future. Dialogue can start off from here and it is for today”.