The EU “miracle”

“God has given us many languages and cultures, but just one world where to live together”. From this consideration the need to ” respect and value differences”. In fact, “if we were completely different we wouldn’t be able to communicate, and if we were totally alike we would have nothing to say to each other”. Sir Jonathan Sacks, Commonwealth Chief Rabbi intervened on November 18 in Strasburg, invited by EU MEPs for The European year of intercultural dialogue. His speech centred on “reciprocal respect” , evaluation of each person and people uniqueness, on the acknowledgement of individual and community rights and on new “solidarity needs” emerging from the globalized world’s instability. was applauded by the members of the EU parliament.The role of religions. The speaker was introduced by the Assembly President, German Gert Poettering, who dwelled upon the role of large monotheistic religions “in building today’s European society, along with humanism and Enlightenment”. In the previous years the Parliament already welcomed different political and cultural personalities besides the Grand Mufti of Syria and Constantinople Orthodox Patriarch. Mr. Poettering added that ” even if we live in a society where State and Church are separated the role of organized religions is very important”. He also pointed out the duty to eliminate “throughout Europe any form of extremism, racism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism, defend democracy and protect human rights and the dignity of man worldwide”. When he took the floor, Sir Sacks, mentioned Hebrew history, and that of Europe, citing the horror of the Holocaust and subsequent building of a Europe of peace and cooperation among countries that were once enemies”. He added that “The European Union is a miracle of our times” .Alliance of responsibility. British Commonwealth Chief Rabbi, philosopher and theologian, often cited the Bible where he explained “emerges God’s appeal to dialogue”, He mentioned the passage of the creation of the woman and the story of Cain and Abel . “In the first case the interpretation is that in order to understand ones own identity we must recognize others; in the second one is that where words fail, violence begins”. From the “analysis” he switched to “proposals”. “What keeps united fragmented societies such as ours are covenants, alliances of responsibilities. “of loyalty and trust”, in order to “achieve together what we are not able to do on our own”. Sacks added : “In our age featured by strong passions, new tensions, economic , social conflicts….We must defend fundamental rights and freedoms”, enacting Charter of 1948 “with a new responsibility alliance, asking each person, each group, faith and nation what it is willing to due for the common good” and “to build a future of hope”. Values and rights. After addressing MEPs, Sir Sacks talked to journalists, on some issues of his speech. He made some consideration on globalization, on today’s risks, on the need to relaunch solidarity worldwide. He warned on “the loss of values”, even more detectable in the latest economic and financial events; he stated that “anti- Semitism is increasing as well as “Islam-phobia”, these phenomenon must be fought by developing fundamental rights and freedoms. Is a cultural development, within a reaffirmation of rights, trying to verify its historical rooting, its real evolution and universality? Sir Sacks answer to SIR. “Rights have developed in time. The ones we consider such today, weren’t so in the nineteenth century. Furthermore the twentieth century affirmed more essential rights: These rights must be safeguarded everyday worldwide. Believing in man. “At the same time – the Rabbi added – new questions emerge. For example: Are we entitled to cause our death? Can freedom of expression offend someone? We can find answers only if we believe in man in his dignity and common good,” by avoiding partiality, “building a future full of hope”. President Poettering concluded by announcing that the Dali Lama is expected to be in Brussels on December 4. Concerning the invitation sent to Pope Benedict XVI, the President of the Assembly added: “I do not think the pope’s visit will take place during this legislature”, ending in June 2009. “I hope the Pope will in the future address this Assembly”.