A singular figure

Bishop and Prince: the figure of Msgr. Joan Enric Vives I Sicilia, current bishop of Urgell and co-prince of Andorra, brings back to mind those ancient times when spiritual and temporal powers were blended in the hands of a single person that was the bishop. This position in the realm of secular and evermore ‘laicist’ Europe is hard to understand or even accept. Yet, it is a fact that in the year 2009 Msgr. Joan Enric Vives I Sicilia is the co-prince of Andorra, a small State of Europe on the east Pyrenees, between France and Spain. He shares this role with President Nicolas Sarkozy: the only case in the world of a head of State at the lead of another Country that borders with his. To prevent misunderstandings, it ought to be clear that these appointments are rather theoretical. In fact, co-princes delegate their responsibilities to their representatives, and the Prime Minister is in charge of Andorra’s governance, with his government. Danile Rocchi interviewed Msgr. Vives I Sicilia for SIR Europe Excellency, how do you live this twofold role? “Andorra’s population always welcomed positively the figures of the bishop and of the co-prince. They are aware that the Episcopal co-prince ensured the Principality’s independence and sovereignty. In fact, in the 1993 referendum citizens reaffirmed this choice and opted for the preservation of the co-prince figure”. This role could best describe fruitful Church-State cooperation…“Indeed, my position isn’t only representative: I have meetings with the Parliament, the head of government, and have the right to express my views regarding decisions, while my speeches are never censored in advance. I am entitled to intervene on Constitutional Court and Magistrate Governing Council’s appointments. As co-princes our political involvement takes place through our delegates. In this framework, my commitment is to work for peace, reconciliation and to enhance the beautiful side of my Country, for the common good”. Problems are perhaps linked to your position as bishop of Urgell, Spain’s diocese with over 200 thousand inhabitants, much more than Andorra’s 80 thousand. It is so? “The urgent issues related to my pastoral assignment in the diocese of Urgell, the largest diocese in Catalonia, are the same experienced throughout Europe, i.e. secularism and ethical relativism, in addition to Spanish legislation…” Sad notes that are reason for concern for Spain’s episcopacy… “I believe that the government in-office places great pressure on the population as relates to sensitive issues that are deemed important for everyone, not only for the Catholic Church, whose voice is heard despite much criticism and interferences. The Church has the right to express her views while preserving an open communication channel. She must be free to voice her claims for the common good, for society, so that its stance may be taken into due account by the political environment. Her claims must be viewed in the direction of dialogue and reflection, especially if the themes she addresses are linked to the value of life, the family, bioethics, employment, migration and of the youth. Politicians ought to listen closely to the claims of moral institutions that include along with the Church also scholars, academicians and experts. The Church’ vocation is to be amidst the faithful, offering – and not imposing – her truth. We ought to find a way to meet and dialogue with respect and moderation”. The political realm appears to want to confine religion to the private sphere, do you agree? “The past three centuries were rather difficult for the Church. We witnessed wars and conflicts that led to the establishment of a secular and liberal state. The intention was to modernise society by attacking the Church and the clergy. The many martyrs in Europe are a sad testimony of this fact. The message was conveyed that without religion the world would have been a better place. Today we can say that this is not the case. Nonetheless, a number of actions are still aimed at marginalizing religion, such as the decision of a Spanish judge to remove the crucifix from schoolrooms in the name of a misinterpreted form of laity. The fact that Spain is an a-confessional State doesn’t mean that it should refrain from enhancing religion. Spain, just like Europe, preserves its Christian soul”. But no mention of it is made in Europe’s Constitutional Treaty. Why? “I have no answer to this question. Erasing Europe’s Christian roots means renouncing a thousands-year-long tradition of forgiveness, reconciliation, reception, sharing and culture. These are the primary values that Christianity conveys to society. These are the social ethics which lay people and Catholics, believers and non-believers are bound to identify themselves with”.